On Saturday, the influential pro-Kurdish lawyer Tahir Elci spoke at a news conference at a historic mosque in the old city of Diyabakir, in southeastern Turkey. He called attention to the damage done to historic buildings during recent violence in the city. Clad in a grey suit and flanked by other activists, Elci told reporters, “We don’t want guns, clashes, and operations in this historical area, which has been a cradle to many civilizations.” Moments later gunfire crackled.