Dec 31, 2015

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey — “We are three friends. Altogether we had 800 liras [$274], but we are now down to our last 10 liras," said Ramazan Badur. The taxi driver, who has been waiting on the Iraqi side of the border for 10 days, added, "When that runs out, we will cross the stream secretly and sneak into Turkey.” Badur, speaking to Al-Monitor by phone, said they are tired, dirty and desperate and want to go home in Turkey. Like thousands of others, he was left on the wrong side after Turkey closed the Habur crossing, which is controlled by the Kurdish Regional Government on the Iraqi side.

The Habur crossing between Iraq and Turkey was closed after the violence nearby in Turkey. On Dec. 13, after the curfew was declared at Cizre and Silopi, the border crossing was also closed.

Although trucks crossing to Iraq are occasionally allowed to cross, thousands of vehicles and their occupants are stranded, not allowed to enter Turkey.

Taxis carrying passengers are waiting in the customs zone and trucks waiting to enter Turkey are waiting outside it. Everyone is desperately trying to hear news from Turkey. A routine has developed. With the first rays of daylight, people get out of their vehicles to stretch their limbs. They have been sleeping in tiny cars for days on end. Then it is time for breakfast. As most have exhausted their own rations, they go to a nearby café for breakfast and to watch TV news. When they hear nothing about their saga, they start discussing other issues. When the night comes, everyone heads back to their cold cars.

The border between Turkey and Iraq is delineated by the Hezil Stream. This is the stream Badur plans to cross illegally. He said he has been out of touch with his family.