Since the establishment of the zone, the Turkish authorities have striven to restore civil society in the areas under their control[37] and to also bind the region more closely to Turkey.[5][2][38] As part of these efforts, towns and villages have been demilitarized by dismantling military checkpoints and moving the local militias to barracks and camps outside areas populated by civilians.[37] Turkey also funds education and health services, supports the region's economy, and has trained a new police force.[2][38] Some locals describe these developments as "Turkification" of the region.