Other tombs were uncovered inside the restored tomb in Siirt

During the restoration works of the tomb of Sheikh Ali Segirka in Siirt, 3 graves were uncovered in the location where only one grave was found. In the centuries-old tomb known as Sheikh Ali Segirka in the village of Aktaş, which is connected to the center, various activities were held every year, sacrifices and offerings were made. In 2017, when the tomb was turned into a shrine, during the restoration works on June 3, 2024, the teams working on the restoration of the shrine came across 3 graves lying side by side underground, and reported the situation to the Governorship, Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, and gendarmerie teams. A security point was established at the shrine, and security forces were deployed by the gendarmerie. The headman of Aktaş village, Mehmet Can Kezer, stating that the shrine dates back to ancient times, said, ‘This shrine is known as Sheikh Ali Segirka, also known as Sheikh Ali in Turkish. As far as we know, this shrine has been here for about 8-10 generations, from our fathers and grandfathers. In May, the villagers and people used to hold events here. Our children, our women, our villagers, and people from neighboring villages used to come here to visit this person. We started the restoration of this shrine in 2017. This construction was made by benefactors. There was a pile of stones on top of the shrine. When we removed these stones, we found three graves. We knew of one grave. Three graves were revealed. When the graves were revealed, we informed our Governor, the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, and the gendarmerie of Siirt.’ Kezer, who stated that it has been under control by the gendarmerie for the past few days, said, ‘There is a guard duty every hour here. We informed the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism. An archaeologist from the Batman Museum will come and inspect here. We don’t know what is here anymore. But presumably, they are great personalities, great scholars. It could be three martyrs. It could also be three companions of the Prophet. So far, we have been coming here as Sheikh Ali Segirka to pray. This is all we know. We have informed all relevant authorities.