In recent years, the rise of gang activity across both Kurdistan and Turkey has become widely recognized. In Kurdistan, the repressive policies imposed after the self-governance resistance of 2015 and 2016 created a significant vacuum in both neighborhoods and cities. While this situation has been more pronounced in Turkish cities, in Kurdistan, particularly in Diyarbakır (Amed), gangs that have recently emerged and operate under self-declared names are causing growing public concern.
Most recently, a gang calling itself the “Ugly Ones” reportedly opened fire on a café located on 75th Street in the city after demanding extortion. Sources we spoke to said the group, composed largely of young people, distributed written notes specifying a place and date, demanding payments from business owners. Those who refused were subjected to armed attacks.
The incident took place last Saturday evening, when the café in question was sprayed with gunfire. A doctor was injured in an attack, which occurred while customers were inside. People we spoke to stressed that this was not an isolated incident, noting that such attacks, particularly increasing in the Bağlar district, are now spreading to other neighborhoods.
Jewelers, restaurants and cafés are being targeted
The attacks, which first began in the Bağlar district and targeted local businesses, quickly spread to the Sur and Kayapınar districts. In Bağlar, jewelrys and restaurants were among the main targets, and many business owners were forced to close their shops due to extortion pressure. Businesses owned by Syrians on Bağlar’s Dörtyol Street have shut down one by one for this reason, while in recent months several jewelry stores have also been subjected to armed attacks linked to extortion demands.
Police statements saying, “We are also investigating. We will not let this go,” remain unchanged. However, shopkeepers and residents we spoke to said the situation has become increasingly alarming and warned that neighborhoods are being pushed into insecurity due to the lack of effective measures.
They are being threatened
Shopkeepers in Bağlar and Kayapınar told us that they have received nearly identical threats in recent months. They said written notes were sent to them specifying how much extortion they were expected to pay, as well as the date and time of payment. Those who refuse to face threats of attack or forced closure of their businesses, while those who report the situation to the police encounter similar intimidation.
These attacks, particularly concentrated in areas such as Kaynartepe, April 4 and Dörtyol in Bağlar, have now spread to the Kayapınar district. On 75th Street, one of the city’s busiest avenues, shopkeepers say they are facing the same threats.
Most shopkeepers report the same problem
Shopkeepers described the situation as follows: “They use many different names, but the latest group we have heard of calls itself the ‘Ugly Ones.’ We do not know whether they act independently or under someone’s control. They are all young and from the neighborhood. They open fire on shops that refuse to pay extortion and use it as intimidation. These threats and attacks have continued since last year. This must be stopped now. These problems need to be addressed before they grow and turn into situations like those seen in Istanbul. In Bağlar, everyone is affected, from the smallest shopkeeper to large business owners.”
Young peoplepushed toward drugs
Residents said the situation has created a deep sense of insecurity in their homes and neighborhoods. They explained that due to widespread individual armament, they have to be extremely cautious when leaving or returning home.
They added that people are being forced to migrate not because of unemployment or poverty, but because of these conditions. Calling on municipalities and civil society organizations to take action, residents stressed that the rise of gang activity, especially in low-income districts such as Sur and Bağlar, is also linked to increasing drug use. They said: “Young people and children are chasing easy money. Everyone must take responsibility and act to stop this.”
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