Government removes PKK road block as debate heats up

Turkish security forces have removed roadblocks that were installed by supporters of the outlawed Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) in a rural area of Diyarbakır to protest the construction of police stations.

The uncertainty about the kids reportedly abducted by the PKK adds to the political tensions.

Gendarmerie and special forces launched an operation against the PKK supporters who had blocked the main road between the provinces of Diyarbakır and Bingöl since last week.

Some 100 armored vehicles were dispatched to Fisovası, located in the Lice district, as part of an operation against a pro-PKK group who dug ditches to block the road in protest at military operations and the ongoing construction of police posts in the region.

Clashes erupted when the group threw fireworks and hand-made explosives at security forces, who responded with tear gas. The group also set three vehicles alight.

Gunshots were heard at the scene, though the press has not been allowed into the area. The road was closed to traffic due to the operation. The Diyarbakır Governor’s Office said in a statement that illegal groups under the influence of the PKK had been attempting to block the roads between Diyarbakır and Bingöl and Diyarbakır and Muş since May 24.

Meanwhile, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement that a group linked to the PKK has kidnapped five workers from an electricity and telecommunications company in the Arıklı village of Lice. “Three workers from the Diyarbakır Electricity Firm were kidnapped late May 28 and two workers from a GSM company were kidnapped early May 29. The two workers from the GSM firm were released later while three...