Another family joins sit-in in SE Türkiye against terrorist group PKK

By Mehmet Siddik Kaya

DIYARBAKIR, Türkiye (AA) - Another family on Thursday joined an ongoing sit-in protest against the PKK terror group in southeastern Türkiye.

The protest began on Sept. 3, 2019 in the city of Diyarbakir, when three mothers said their children had been forcibly recruited by YPG/PKK terrorists.

The sit-in outside the offices of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) -- a party currently facing a closure case, and which the government accuses of having links to the terrorist YPG/PKK – has been growing every day.

Demonstrations have also spread to other provinces, including Van, Mus, Sirnak, and Hakkari.

Cihat Ozbey came from the eastern Erzurum province to join the demonstration against the terror group.

Ozbey told reporters that his daughter Fatma was deceived and taken to the mountains seven years ago when 18 years old, and his family has not heard from him since.

He said he will not abandon the sit-in until he reunites with his beloved daughter.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the terror group’s Syrian branch.

*Writing by Merve Berker