Residents assess the damage as an eight-day curfew is lifted in the predominantly Kurdish city of Cizre in Turkey.

It had been cut off last Friday after the Turkish army launched an operation against Kurdish PKK militants in the area.

Concerns are growing over food shortages and there are conflicting reports of civilian casualties.

“We were terrified,” exclaimed one resident. “We didn’t have electricity. We were starving to death. We didn’t live. What on the earth did we do to deserve this? I hope God will punish you for this, Erdogan.”

During the curfew no outsiders were allowed to enter, prompting Kurdish activists to call the action a blockade similar to Israel’s actions in Gaza.

The operation in the city bordering Syria is a key part of the government’s drive to weaken the PKK in southeast Turkey and northern Iraq.

Fighting between Turkish forces and the PKK has intensified after a two year-long ceasefire broke down in July.