Over the past five days, Turkish police have conducted a large-scale operation resulting in the detention of 282 suspects linked to the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the arrests, which took place across 51 provinces in Turkey.
The detained individuals are suspected of various activities, including providing financial support to the PKK, recruiting members, engaging in propaganda, and participating in violent street protests. During the raids, police also confiscated two AK-47 assault rifles and other weapons.
Despite recent efforts to resolve the conflict between Ankara and the PKK, tensions remain high. The imprisoned leader of the PKK, Abdullah Ocalan, is expected to call for his group to lay down arms as part of these reconciliation efforts.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government has intensified its crackdown on opposition figures in recent months, leading to the arrest of journalists, politicians, and others. Elected Kurdish mayors have been removed from office over alleged ties to the PKK, with state-appointed officials taking their place.
The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies, has been at the forefront of a long-standing insurgency in the country. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties over the years.
