Turkey using this as opportunity to crack down domestically.
RUDAW: Turkey declares ‘special security zone’ in southeast Hakkari province
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Five areas of Turkey’s Kurdish-majority province of Hakkari have been declared part of a “special security zone” by the governor’s office, citing “threats and attacks” by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
“The recent activities of the separatist terrorist organization [PKK] and other terrorist organizations within the borders of our province have started to have a negative impact on the social and economic developments of our province,” reads a statementfrom governor Idris Akbiyik published Tuesday.
“As a result of these activities, our citizens have been deprived of carrying out their social and economic work and movement,” it added.
The aim of the zone, which spans Hakkari city and the districts of Cukurca, Semdinli, Yuksekova, and Derecik, is to “protect our state and people from any sort of terror threat or attack,” the official said.
The region has seen decades of fierce fighting between Turkish armed forces and the PKK, an armed group fighting for greater political and cultural rights for Kurds in Turkey.
Turkey launched Operation Kiran against the Kurdish rebels in Hakkari, Van, and Sirnak on August 17. Three more phases of the operation were launched in other Kurdish areas in the east and southeast of Turkey.
Local security forces have taken various security measures against the Kurdish guerrillas in the past, including the declaration of security zones, the imposition of curfews, and the setting up of multiple checkpoints in conflict areas.
Worst. NATO. Country. Ever.
On the other hand…
Seriously?
Rojava to Rock 