Kurds in Turkey: 'HDP stands with terrorist PKK, not us'

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey

Families in southeastern Turkey seeking the return of their children kidnapped by the terror group PKK on Thursday continued their protest of the PKK and the terror-linked Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).

They said despite its claims to represent Turkey's Kurdish population, in fact the HDP only represents the terrorist PKK.

The protest began in September 2019 in Diyarbakir, when three mothers said PKK terrorists had forcibly recruited their children.

The sit-in outside the provincial office of the HDP – which the government filed a case against this week, seeking its closure over charges of terrorist links – has been growing every day, and entered its 563rd day on Thursday.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency on behalf of the protesting mothers, Necibe Ciftci, who said her son Rosat was abducted by the PKK six years ago, stated the HDP is only a front for the terrorist PKK.

“We were able to expose the HDP's true face to the whole world. The HDP represents the PKK, not us Kurds. As such, we demand it be closed,” she said.

On Wednesday, Turkey’s top prosecutor filed an indictment seeking to shut down the HDP, calling it an undemocratic party that colludes with the terrorist PKK and seeks to destroy the unity of the state.

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

* Writing by Ahmet Gencturk in Ankara