Curfew and Clashes in Yüksekova
Severe clashes have taken place in Yüksekova district of Hakkari province after a curfew was declared, reported Yüksekova news citing from Zap News. Peoples’ Democratic Party deputy for Hakkari Abdullah Zeydan stated that the clashes have killed three people, left seven wounded.
Following the curfew declaration, Orman and Eski Kışla neighborhoods are besieged by armored vehicles. As artillery shootings launched on besieged districts, booms and gunshots were heard during the night.
Upon swelling of the clashes, police used pepper gas on thousands wanting to march to the conflict zone to serve as human shields despite the curfew. The operation was protested during the night with thundering slogans, and Justice and Government Party (AKP) District Presidency building of the district was set on fire.
Zeydan: Ambulance not allowed
HDP Hakkari deputy Zeydan said an artillery shelling hitting a house left an imam wounded.
“After curfew was declared by Hakkari Governorate, severe clashes have been taking place in the neighborhoods. In the house which is hit by one of the artillery bombings district’s imam İbrahim Akdoğan was seriously injured. Security forces don’t allow medical teams heading to help the injured to pass. No news also can be received regarding Imam’s children’s medical condition.”
Co-chairs arrested
Human Rights Association (İHD) Chairperson Öztürk Türkdoğan, KESK Co-Chairperson Lami Özgen, DİSK Chairperson Kani Beko, member of Turkish Chamber of Doctors Committee Council Şeyhmus Gökalp and TMMOB Secretary General Dersim Gül has visited Hakkari.
Türkdoğan said, “It is a judicial scandal for the municipality co-chairs to be arrested based on serious charges by using their declaration of autonomy as an excuse.”
Curfew ongoing
Curfew is ongoing in Yüksekova. Journalist from Yüksekova, Zeki Dara, informing bianet stated that clashes have ceased in the city and now everyone expects the funerals.
Dara added that there is information alleging that three more people lost their lives but their funerals are yet to be reached.
Dara stating that as a group of women including Peace Mothers going to the conflict zone to seek the funerals, three other funerals have been kept in the neighborhood where police attack with armored vehicles but met with the resistance of a group consisting of 3,000 people refusing to hand over the funerals by keeping watch.
Entrance to the districts prohibited
As the curfew is ongoing in Yüksekova, entrance to the district is prohibited. The committee consisting of NGOs had failed to enter the city while a group of people gathered from nearby villages managed to reach the district center, said Dara. (TK/AS)
Click here to read the article in Turkish