Reports of executions have come through from the Varto district of Muş where people have taken control after taking up arms to defend themselves against the never-ending attacks of Turkish state forces.

According to the information obtained from Varto People’s Assembly chair Mustafa Doğan, 4 persons were executed this morning. Doğan said “The governor and the deputies told us that 4 persons were killed.” In the meantime the Turkish soldiers and the police opened fire on the houses and shops in the town.

It is yet not known if those killed are civilians or guerrillas affiliated with the HPG (People's Defence Forces), the armed wing of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party).

Initial reports say at least two wounded people have been executed by bombs thrown on them. It is also reported that the bodies of the killed were taken away by soldiers.

Arriving at the scene where the bodies were found, DBP Party Assembly member Sırrı Sever said “There are no traces evidencing that a clash took place in the area. There was blood on the ground. It seems certain that they were executed, but we could not yet learn their identities.”

According to information, which has not yet been verified, 2 more persons lost their lives in an explosion.

Varto People’s Assembly chair Mustafa Doğan told ANF the following:

“Yesterday evening the people withdrew into their houses. And in the early morning, the police broke down the shutters of shops’ windows and opened fire on the shops”.

Police and soldiers arriving at the town with armoured vehicles also opened fire on the houses.

In the meantime DBP member Ersin Kızılboğa was detained.

DTK DELEGATION ARRIVED IN VARTO

Meanwhile, a delegation of DTK, including its co-chair Selma Irmak and HDP deputies have gone to Varto, interviewed the people about the incidents, and assessed the situation in the houses and shops on which the security forces opened fire.

In another development, Muş Civil Society Platform representatives held a meeting with Muş governor Vedat Büyükersoy. The representatives said in a press briefing after the meeting that Muş Governor told them that the curfew would be lifted at 05:00 and that any intervention that could harm civilians would not be carried out.