Troops in Silvan retreat amid protests by people

Turkish military troops and tanks have withdrawn from neighborhoods on the 12th day of the siege and crackdown against the areas of self-rule in Amed's Silvan district.

Turkish military troops and tanks have withdrawn from neighborhoods on the 12th day of the siege and crackdown against the areas of self-rule in Amed's Silvan district.

The retreat of Turkish troops witnessed a mass protest by the people who poured out into the streets chanting the slogan "Bijî berxwedana Farqînê" [Long Live Farqîn (Silvan) resistance].

During the 12 days of curfew which has been removed today, the district was a scene of a heavy aggression by Turkish police and military forces in Tekel, Konak and Mescit neighborhoods with all technical means available, which left 7 civilians dead.

Only today have the soldiers and tanks of the Turkish army retreated to the Gendarmerie Tactical Regimental Commandry which is located in the district centre.

“Murderers, get out of Kurdistan” and "Bijî berxwedana Farqînê" were chanted by hundreds of people who gathered on streets during the withdrawal of military forces and tanks. It grabbed attention that soldiers pointed their arms at the civilians as they retreated, and policemen made announcements from armored vehicles, saying “Thanks for clearing the district of terrorists”, addressing their praises to soldiers.

In the meantime, hundreds of people flocked to the three neighborhoods after the removal of the curfew today afternoon. Despite the police attacks aiming to hinder and disperse the mass, people managed to enter the neighborhoods by chanting slogans after 12 days of military crackdown.

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