Families' sit-in protest against YPG/PKK continues

By Aziz Aslan

DIYARBAKIR (AA) - Families of children abducted or forcibly recruited by the YPG/PKK terror group continue their sit-in protest in Turkey’s southeastern Diyarbakir province, calling on their sons and daughters to lay down arms and surrender to security authorities.

The protest began on Sept. 3, 2019 in Diyarbakir province when three mothers said their children had been forcibly recruited by YPG/PKK terrorists. The sit-in outside the office of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), which the government accuses of having links to the YPG/PKK, has been growing every day.

Sevgi Cagmar, one of the protesting mothers, said she had not heard of her son, Yavuz, for the past six years, saying the HDP tricked his son into joining the terror group.

"I am not leaving this place until my son is back. I will continue this protest to the end," she said.

"My son, if you see or hear me, come and surrender to our security forces. I am waiting for you here."

Suleyman Aydin, whose son Ozkan was abducted in 2015 at the age of 15, said all participants were determined to continue their sit-in protest against the terror group and its affiliates.

Aydin said underage children of Kurdish families were sent to the mountains to join the ranks of the terror group, whereas children of HDP officials were enjoying their time in European countries.

"They are deceiving you. Come back so this longing end," he said.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU - has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas