Militants declare 'self-rule' in southeast towns, endangering civilians
A security assessment given to Anadolu Agency claims that the actions of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants in Hakkari province has impacted heavily on civilians’ lives.
Kurdish-populated Hakkari has recently seen many attacks carried out by the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union.
The PKK has increased its activities, particularly in the Yuksekova district. The violent organization unilaterally declared 'self-rule' in Yuksekova and some other towns in southeastern Turkey; this is assessed as putting civilians at risk by provoking intervention from the security forces in populated areas.
Sources claim in any independent country such attempts would receive a response by the state's security apparatus.
Accusing the group of trying to cut off the region by making it a ‘no-go’ zone for the security forces, sources said the PKK was using handmade explosives and setting up street barricades.
The sources also claimed that children were being included in PKK actions and that the group was trying to force people from the homes by creating a climate of fear in the region.
- Turkish security forces' losses reach 43
Forty-three members of Turkey’s security forces have been martyred in the last 41 days, amid a wave of armed conflict in the country.
Soldiers, police officers and village guards are all among the dead.
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), its youth wing – the Patriotic Revolutionary Youth Movement – plus the far-left Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front have all been active recently in Turkey.
According to Anadolu Agency figures, 43 members of the security forces - including Gendarme commander Major Arslan Kulaksiz - have been martyred.
Fifty attackers have been killed by the security forces and nine captured injured in 41 days.
In airstrikes carried out by the Turkish military since late July, 390 suspected PKK members were killed and at least 400 injured.
- Last 24 hours
The figures come as fighting between troops and PKK militants in northeastern Turkey left another soldier lost his life on Sunday.
Clashes in the early hours of Sunday morning near the town of Kagizman, Kars province, saw three PKK fighters killed, the provincial governor’s office said. A soldier was also wounded in the fighting.
In a statement, the Turkish Armed Forces said the clash happened at 5.30 a.m. local time (0230GMT). The soldiers called on the insurgents to surrender but were fired upon. The military said the soldier died from his wounds in hospital.
The PKK - designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the EU and U.S. - renewed its armed campaign following a mass-casualty Daesh-linked suicide bombing in Suruc on July 20.
Anadolu Agency