The Turkish Interior Ministry has arrested more than 700 individuals, including members of a pro-Kurdish political party.
According to a statement from the ministry cited by Anadolu Agency today, the number of detainees is "718 suspects in security operations against the terrorist organization 'PKK'." The ministry noted that the goal of the arrests was to uncover local activities of the terrorist organization "PKK/KCK," as security operations were conducted in 40 provinces.
The ministry indicated that among the 718 arrested individuals were branch leaders of the "Peoples' Democratic Party" in several provinces and districts. The statement highlighted that "weapons, documents, and electronic devices were seized in the homes and workplaces of the suspects." It confirmed that this operation comes "in response to terrorist attacks carried out by the separatist organization within Turkey from time to time, targeting civilians and security and military personnel."
The Turkish government announced yesterday that fighters from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) had executed individuals from the police and military who they had taken captive, often during military operations in 2015 and 2016. Reuters quoted Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, a member of parliament from the Peoples' Democratic Party, as saying that "previous negotiations had saved lives, but the government has not considered this option this time."
Gergerlioglu added that a resolution might have been possible, but this occurred due to the government's and the ruling party's public policies. "They are not thinking about a solution or peace right now; hence they have not resorted to such an option." According to Reuters, opposition parties accused the government of moving too slowly to free hostages. Political ramifications increase risks as analysts say it reflects efforts by the ruling Justice and Development Party, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to create a rift between the Peoples' Democratic Party and other opposition parties that collaborated in the 2019 municipal elections to defeat Erdoğan.
