Turkey: Mothers' sit-in against PKK continues

By Mehmet Siddik Kaya and Mehmet Sah Yilmaz

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AA) - Dozens of families have been staging a sit-in protest against the PKK terror group in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir outside the provincial office of a Turkish opposition party long accused by the government of having links to the PKK terror group.

The protest started on Sept. 3 in Diyarbakir after a mother, Fevziye Cetinkaya, said her 17-year-old son was forcibly recruited by the PKK through members of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).

Since then, the number of families in front of the building is growing as families demand the return of their children, who, they claim, were deceived or kidnapped by PKK terrorists.

Husniye Kaya, mother of 14-years-old Mekiye, said her daughter was kidnapped 5 years ago. Speaking in Kurdish, she said she was determined to continue the sit-in in front of the HDP’s office. “Even if it rains or snows, we will not go anywhere,” she told Anadolu Agency.

"I came here to meet my daughter. HDP took our children. This is why we’re here, in front of HDP," she added.

Sevdet Demir, 55, mother of Fatih -- who has been lost for 4 years -- said his son was abducted in Hani district of Diyarbakir, where he was working at a bakery.

"We went to Iraq, Syria in search for him. But we couldn't find him, and eventually came here," she said, and added: "I won't leave until he is back".

Sevket Altintas said that his son Muslum was kidnapped by PKK terrorists in southeastern Tunceli province on Oct. 2, 2015, while on his way to do his military service.

"We are waiting for celebrities to come here to support us," he said.

Meanwhile, a tent was set up for Diyarbakir mothers as the winter arrives.

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

* Writing by Iclal Turan