Families' protest against PKK continues in SE Turkey

DIYARBAKIR / ANKARA, Turkey

Families in Turkey whose children have been abducted or forcibly recruited by the PKK terrorist organization continued a sit-in protest on Thursday in southeastern Turkey.

The families in the Diyarbakir province have been protesting for 745 days since Sept. 3, 2019 outside the office of the opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), encouraging their children to give up their weapons and surrender to authorities.

Solmaz Ogrunc, one of the mothers, whose son Baran was abducted five years ago when he was 15 years old, said she wants her child from the HDP.

Calling on her son to surrender to the security forces, Ogrunc said she wants to experience the same happiness like other families who have reunited with their children.

Fadime Aksu, another mother, said her son, who left home to buy bread, never returned.

“HDP deceived my son, he was abducted by PKK. My son was a cardiac patient and was receiving treatment. I haven't heard from him for six years. I can't stand it anymore,” Aksu said.

Aksu urged her son to lay down weapons and surrender to the security forces.

Meanwhile, a father who started a march of "Hope" for his daughter kidnapped by the PKK terror group made his mid-way to the Turkish capital Ankara by walking.

Mehmet Lacin began his march from the Western Izmir province and reached Ankara early on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters in front of HDP headquarters, Lacin said HDP is not the peoples' party, but a party that takes the children of the people to the mountains.

“Some 14 years ago, when she was a high school student, HDP forcibly took my daughter from me,” Lacin said, adding that he was beaten by HDP supporters after he wanted his daughter back.

Lacin said he will not stop protesting until he is reunited with his daughter.

Calling out to his daughter, Lacin said: “I have been fighting for 745 days to save you from these oppressors. I will save you from them, there is no other way.”

Protests outside the office of the HDP in Diyarbakir started with three mothers who said their children were forcibly recruited by the terrorists. The Turkish government accuses the HDP of having links to the PKK terror group.

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

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the US, and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

* Writing by Zehra Nur Duz