ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Turkish authorities have deploayed a light regiment of 1,400 ethnic Kurds in the troubled Kurdish district of Sur in Diyarbakir province, where the task of these so-called ”village protectors” is mainly to stand against fighters of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
"Upon the order of the Diyarbakir governor, the village protectors have entered Sur to help rescue the people from PKK tyrannies," claimed Ziya Sozan, a top official with the force.
He told Rudaw that his men, who will fight alongside the miliary and police against the PKK, are their for protection, saying there had been no instances of looting or other issues with the force.
Sozen dismissed rumors that the force would be permanently stationed in Sur, even after ongoing clashes with the PKK that have continued for weeks, come to an end, saying that was propaganda spread by the PKK and its affiliates.
"They have their own villages and properties (to return to), so even if they state calls on them to stay they would refuse,” claimed Sozen.
Sur has been under curfew for more than 45 days. Turkish soldiers and PKK fighters have been locked in daily battles and street fights. Sources inside the embattled city have reported that Turkey has deployed 10,000 soldiers and military personnel in Sur alone to confront pro-PKK fighters.
The force moved into Sur after Efkan Ala, Turkey's interior minister, announced that regional forces would be deployed to fight the insurgency in Sur.
Despite Sozen’s remarks, there are many rumors the government has constructed new homes where the force is to rmain.
”If they (authorities) intend to withdraw these forces, why don’t they dismiss these claims,” a local journalist in the area told Rudaw, speaking on condition of anonymity.
According to a report released by the Turkish Hurriyet daily news in February 2014, the number of village protectors on government salaries has reached 47,800. The news outlet also revealed that an additional 25,000 people with the force are unsalaried, and 20,000 more are retired.
According to information obtained by Rudaw, the duties of the village force are to protect lives and properties from any aggressors.
But human rights organizations see the force as the leading factor behind instability and crimes in the area.
A report by the Turkish Human Rights Foundation (IHD) less than a year ago said that 91 people had been killed by the force between 2009-2013.
And from 1995 to 2002, the report said they were involved in setting 38 villages on fire, forcing civilians from 41 villages to abandon their homes. They have also been accused of torture and abduction of innocent villagers.
An IHD observer stressed there is no official evidence to prove that these forces would remain in Sur.
"Without an official evidence, I cannot say anything. But people are unhappy about the force being brought to Sur," the observer told Rudaw.
Thousands of people have fled Sur district in recent weeks, due to the clashes.
People across Kurdish cities in Turkey have protested against the curfew in Sur, calling for an end to the hostilities, according to reports.
Turkish media reports say that more than 100 people are believed to have been killed and 100,000 others displaced.
"Upon the order of the Diyarbakir governor, the village protectors have entered Sur to help rescue the people from PKK tyrannies," claimed Ziya Sozan, a top official with the force.
He told Rudaw that his men, who will fight alongside the miliary and police against the PKK, are their for protection, saying there had been no instances of looting or other issues with the force.
Sozen dismissed rumors that the force would be permanently stationed in Sur, even after ongoing clashes with the PKK that have continued for weeks, come to an end, saying that was propaganda spread by the PKK and its affiliates.
"They have their own villages and properties (to return to), so even if they state calls on them to stay they would refuse,” claimed Sozen.
Sur has been under curfew for more than 45 days. Turkish soldiers and PKK fighters have been locked in daily battles and street fights. Sources inside the embattled city have reported that Turkey has deployed 10,000 soldiers and military personnel in Sur alone to confront pro-PKK fighters.
The force moved into Sur after Efkan Ala, Turkey's interior minister, announced that regional forces would be deployed to fight the insurgency in Sur.
Despite Sozen’s remarks, there are many rumors the government has constructed new homes where the force is to rmain.
”If they (authorities) intend to withdraw these forces, why don’t they dismiss these claims,” a local journalist in the area told Rudaw, speaking on condition of anonymity.
According to a report released by the Turkish Hurriyet daily news in February 2014, the number of village protectors on government salaries has reached 47,800. The news outlet also revealed that an additional 25,000 people with the force are unsalaried, and 20,000 more are retired.
According to information obtained by Rudaw, the duties of the village force are to protect lives and properties from any aggressors.
But human rights organizations see the force as the leading factor behind instability and crimes in the area.
A report by the Turkish Human Rights Foundation (IHD) less than a year ago said that 91 people had been killed by the force between 2009-2013.
And from 1995 to 2002, the report said they were involved in setting 38 villages on fire, forcing civilians from 41 villages to abandon their homes. They have also been accused of torture and abduction of innocent villagers.
An IHD observer stressed there is no official evidence to prove that these forces would remain in Sur.
"Without an official evidence, I cannot say anything. But people are unhappy about the force being brought to Sur," the observer told Rudaw.
Thousands of people have fled Sur district in recent weeks, due to the clashes.
People across Kurdish cities in Turkey have protested against the curfew in Sur, calling for an end to the hostilities, according to reports.
Turkish media reports say that more than 100 people are believed to have been killed and 100,000 others displaced.
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