ÇORUM — 1980 · Major Tragedy
The Çorum Events: Milönü in the Summer of 1980
After MHP deputy chairman Gün Sazak was killed in Ankara on 27 May 1980, tension in Çorum rose rapidly. The unrest that began on 28 May turned into attacks on parts of the city, above all Milönü, known as an Alevi neighbourhood, and continued intermittently until early July. According to official records, 57 people, most of them Alevi citizens, were killed and hundreds were wounded; many homes and businesses were damaged. The governor imposed a curfew and army units entered the city to restore order. Afterwards, the governor and the police chief were removed from their posts. The Çorum events are remembered as one of the gravest communal clashes in the run-up to the coup of 12 September 1980.
- Date
- 1980
- Place
- Central district (Milönü), Çorum
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 40.5500, 34.9550 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 27 May 1980Gün Sazak was killed in Ankara.
- 28 May 1980Unrest broke out in Çorum.
- June–July 1980Attacks hit neighbourhoods, above all Milönü; a curfew was imposed.
- July 1980Army units restored order; the governor and police chief were removed.
Sources
- Vikipedi — Çorum Katliamı tr.wikipedia.org ↗
- Cumhuriyet — Çorum'da Alevilerin katledilişinin 34. yılı cumhuriyet.com.tr ↗
- Wikipedia (Turkish)
- Cumhuriyet
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.