The unrest in Turkey’s Kurdish-populated cities escalated over the weekend following the killing of 3 guerrillas in Kars province on Thursday - a Turkish military action presumably retaliated by the execution of 3 plain cloth Turkish soldiers in downtown Yüksekova district on Saturday. 

According to Yüksekovahaber.com, the incident took place around 4pm on Saturday when unidentified masked individuals assaulted plain cloth wearing soldiers who were named chief sergeant Ramazan Gülle and privates Yunus Yılmaz and Ramazan Köse. 

Initially hospitalized at Yüksekova Public Hospital, the aforementioned soldiers died despite all medical efforts. 

Interior Minister Ala: 2 masked individuals 

Regarding the incident, Interior Minister Efkan Ala made a statement saying that the aforementioned soldiers were “brutally killed” on their way to do shopping by pistols and they identified two suspects who were wearing masks. 

Yakup Canbolat, governor of Hakkari district, released a statement saying that authorities launched an investigation into the finding of culprits. 

Later on, police raided several apartments in Yüksekova district, detaining M.K., İ.B., E.K., M. A, O.B. and B.A. The suspects were transferred to the anti-terror police department. 

HDP: We are worried 

Following the incident, People’s Democratic Party (HDP) released a statement, reminding that 3 HPG guerrillas were killed in Kars on Thursday (October 23) and expressing their worries that the unrest will escalate. 

“We feel sorry and worried about what happened. Because we feel that Turkey is nearing towards a period where clashes will rekindle, lives will be lost and sorrow will reign houses. We are worried. Because we know the new situation in the Middle East is dragging Turkey into a very dangerous position,” the statement said. 

It also expressed HDP’s condolences to the families of both side who lost their beloved ones. 

Media ban

On the other hand, Yüksekova Court Authorities issued a media ban yesterday on the coverage of 3 soldiers’ death scenes and their funeral ceremonies. According to that, no written, visual or audio content is allowed to be broadcasted online or other media means. (BM)

* This article has been compiled from various articles on bianet.