Centuries old church damaged in war between Turkish authorities and Kurdish Workers' Party

An ancient Christian church in Turkey was damaged in the midst of the war between the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) and Turkish authorities.

The Virgin Mary Church, located in the city of Diyarbakir, was damaged during a clash between the Turkish and the Kurdish separatists. A portion of a wall was damaged last week, while the continuous warfare in the area remains a threat to 1,700 year old building.

According to a report by International Christian Concern, the church is one of the most popular Catholic churches in the nation.

The parish priest, Fr. Yusuf Akbulut, initially resisted leaving the church because it might become a target for airstrikes if it were empty. A government ordered evacuation of the area was issues There was an order for evacuation that was issued on Jan. 26, but initially Akbulut and his family decided to stay.

However, as violence engulfed the city's Sur district, Akbulut and his family decided that it was time to leave the church. Electricity and water were already cut off.

They were informed by officials that they had to move to a place accessible to officers as the entire area surrounding the church was filled with mines and controlled by the Kurdish party.

Fortunately, Fr. Akbulut and his family were able to escape the warzone, and are currently residing in a hotel.

There is also some controversy surrounding the Virgin Mary Church, and authorities claim that the church may have indirect involvement with the PKK, which Syriac leaders immediately dismissed.

The war between the Turkish authorities and the Kurdish party began in December, prompting Protestant church leaders to call for peace and seek for a more civil solution for the conflict.