Mapping
Initial View: The initial map view (which can be reestablished at any time by clicking 'reset map') shows what Sur looks like today and displays the multiple point and polygon layers created by the mapping team.
Jul 2015: The first map in the mapping series illustrates a critical period in mapping violence in Sur. To finalize the long-lasting conflict between the Kurdish movement and the Turkish State, a negotiation process began on March 21, 2013. However, when the pro-Kurdish political party HDP challenged the ruling party, AKP, in June 2015 general elections, the Turkish state decided to end this process in July 2015. As a result of increasing tensions between both sides during these months, the Kurdish population in several cities, including Sur, declared autonomy on August 14, 2015. Following the declaration of autonomy by the Kurdish people, the Turkish government declared a curfew in these cities in September 2015.
May 2016: The map under this button marks two months after the end of the military operations of the Turkish State in Sur. The official records mark 9 March 2016 as the end, which is the date of the official explanations of the Ministry of Interior. Although military operations ended in March 2016, nobody was allowed to enter Sur except construction equipment and contractors. The end of the military operations marks the beginning of the destruction and demolition activities of the Turkish State in Sur. Drawing from the TMMOB Destroyed Cities Report, the first phase of the demolition is shown on this map. Dates after this point are decided to trace the dates TMMOB also chooses to illustrate the destruction process.
Nov 2016: The map under this button marks a further phase of the Turkish State's initial destruction and demolition activities in Sur.
Jul 2017: In January 2017, the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization held the official ceremony to begin new constructions in Sur despite its status as a historical heritage site marking a new level of demolition and accelerating destruction. The satellite image after six months of the establishment of buildings constructed recently is prominent.
Feb 2021: The final map of the mapping timeline shows what Sur looks like today.
Below is a timelapse video of the three phases of the destruction of Sur, from July 2015 until July 2017.