Turkey Arrests Over 280 Suspected Kurdish Militants in Crackdown on PKK
Ankara, Turkey – Turkish authorities have detained 282 alleged members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in a nationwide operation over the past five days, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Tuesday, February 18. The raids targeted suspected PKK operatives in 51 provinces across the country.
The operation comes amid ongoing talks between the government and the PKK, seeking a ceasefire to end decades of conflict. The largest pro-Kurdish party in parliament, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), condemned the arrests, accusing the government of undermining peace efforts.
"It is clear that the possibility of a solution and peace is making some people lose sleep," the HDP said in a statement. "Every day, operations are carried out against those who want a solution and peace."
In a separate statement, Istanbul’s public prosecutor said 60 arrests were ordered on Tuesday morning alone, including members of the HDP. Fifty-two of those arrests have been carried out so far.
Yerlikaya vowed to "eradicate all forms of terrorism," while the PKK has denounced the arrests as a "violation of international law."
The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has waged a separatist insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984. The conflict has claimed over 40,000 lives.
Complex Negotiations
The latest crackdown coincides with a complex negotiation process between the government and the PKK. In 2019, the two sides agreed to a ceasefire, but sporadic violence has continued.
The government has held talks with Abdullah Öcalan, the jailed PKK founder, in an effort to reach a comprehensive agreement. Öcalan has called on the PKK to disarm and withdraw its fighters from Turkey.
However, the talks have faced significant obstacles, including the PKK’s demand for increased autonomy and self-governance for the Kurdish region of southeastern Turkey. The government, on the other hand, has been reluctant to grant significant concessions that could undermine the country’s territorial integrity.
International Concerns
The international community has expressed concern over the PKK arrests. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Mary Lawlor, condemned the detentions, calling them "arbitrary and unlawful."
The European Parliament also urged Turkey to "immediately release all peaceful protesters and activists" and respect freedom of expression.
Impact on Peace Process
The PKK arrests have raised doubts about the government’s commitment to a peaceful resolution. The HDP has warned that the crackdown could derail the peace process.
"The government is trying to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, to prevent people from supporting the peace process," HDP spokesman Saruhan Oluç told Reuters.
Analysts believe the arrests are a signal that the government is not fully committed to ending the conflict and may be using the peace talks as a stalling tactic.
"The government is playing a dangerous game by arresting opposition voices and undermining the peace process," said Sinan Ciddi, director of the Ankara-based think tank TEVAV. "This will only lead to more violence and instability."
