Military operations in the area between Lice, Kulp and Genç stopped after a group of activists from the Democratic Society Congress (DTK), Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) and several non-governmental organizations acted as human shields.

DTK C0-Chair Aysel Tuðluk said Kurds’ message is clear: “End the military and political operation. Negotiate with the legitimate representatives of the Kurdish people that are Mr. Öcalan, Kandil and BDP.”

Hundreds of people, including many women, have been marching in the area with slogans in favor of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its leader Abdullah Öcalan. As a result of the human shields action the military operation launched in the area ended and the soldiers withdraw from the area.

BDP Diyarbakýr Branch Co-Chair Zübeyde Zümrüt said Kurds will act as human shields everywhere where there is a military operation while DTK Co-Chair Aysel Tuðluk emphasized the importance and meaning of the action. “We are calling on the government to negotiate with Mr. Öcalan, Kandil and BDP. You should end the military and political operations and free Mr. Öcalan. The Kurdish people want to live freely with their identity and status. They want autonomy,” said Tuðluk.

The activists ended their action after the speeches and returned to Diyarbakýr.