Large scale operation in Şırnak targets co-mayors and DBP executives

Turkish police have conducted a large scale operation in Şırnak where tension remains high since last week which witnessed the killing of three civilians and injury of many others by security forces in Silopi district.

Turkish police have conducted a large scale operation in Şırnak where tension remains high since last week which witnessed the killing of three civilians and injury of many others by security forces in Silopi district.

Police raided ten houses in Şırnak early this morning, including those of Şırnak Municipality co-mayors Eylem Onuk and Serhat Kadırhan, Deputy Co-mayor Murat Kabul, Municipality Council member Kamil Külper, DBP (Party of Democratic Regions, formerly BDP) Şırnak branch co-chairs Salih Gülenç and Zozan Anık, DBP central district co-chair Ramazan Oğur, DBP executives Leyla İşlek and Salih Ürek and IHD (Human Rights Association) Şırnak Branch Chair Emirhan Uysal.

While Salih Ürek, Kamil Külper and Leyla İşlek were taken into custody in the operation, the others were not to be found in the houses targeted by police.

The large scale operation came after the “They will pay the price” threat voiced by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in response to Şırnak People's Assembly's declaration on Monday that all state institutions have lost their legitimacy and people would build a life based on democracy and self-governance.