Turkey: Families continue sit-in against PKK on day 376

By Ahmet Kaplan

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AA) - A long-running sit-in by families whose children have been kidnapped by YPG/PKK terrorists entered its 376th day on Saturday.

The protest began on Sept. 3 last year in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir, when Fevziye Cetinkaya, Remziye Akkoyun, and Aysegul Bicer 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 terror group – has been growing every day.

The grieving families have vowed to continue the sit-in until every family is reunited with their children.

Cennet Kabakli, a mother, said her son Adil was kidnapped and taken to the mountains by the YPG/PKK and HDP in 2015.

The distressed mother said she wants to see her son again as soon as possible.

“I hope the PKK terror group and the HDP are over and no more children are not kidnapped and taken to the mountains,” she said.

Celil Begdas, a father, said he will continue his protest until he is reunited with his son Yusuf.

He said at least 16 children have returned to their families, so he is also hopeful of meeting his child soon.

Offenders in Turkey linked to terrorist groups who surrender are eligible for possible sentence reductions under a repentance law.

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 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.

* Writing by Fahri Aksut