Turkey's Kurds Protest Öcalan Arrest Anniversary

Kurdish demonstrators rallied in almost every major city in Turkey, protesting the 14th anniversary of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan's arrival to Turkey in 1999 after a military operation led by the U.S.

Local businesses except pharmacies and bakeries were reportedly kept shut in Diyarbakır, Mardin, Urfa, Batman, Şırnak, Van, Hakkari, Ağrı, Muş, Kars, Iğdır, Adana, Mersin, Osmaniye and Hatay provinces.

In Istanbul, a masked group attacked a commuter bus with molotov cocktails, police reported.

In Diyarbakır province, thousands of demonstrators launched a protest walk, which was intervened by the police.

In Şırnak's Cizre district, clashes between crowds and police in downtown left 2 women wounded due to gas bombs.

In Hakkari's Yüksekova district, armed military vehicles patrolled in downtown during the day, blocking main avenues and streets. While police allegedly used guns to intervene the clashes, several protestors were claimed to throw stones in return.

In Mardin's Kızıltepe district, demonstrators including local politicians and NGO representatives assembled in downtown, opening an banner with a furious message. Police casted gas bombs at protestors, wounding many including local Kurdish politicians Haşim Baday and Fettah Tekin.

Police also raided several apartments in Istanbul and southeastern Turkey, detaining 8 individuals including 4 children. (EKN/BM)