Turkish police detain 282 suspects over alleged PKK ties

Journalists, politicians, and academics among those detained as Turkey intensifies crackdown on pro-Kurdish groups.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya speaks to the media after visiting the Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church in Istanbul, Turkey, on January 28, 2024. Photo by Dilara Senkaya/Reuters

By Clarisa Sendy and Widya Putri

Turkish police have detained 282 individuals accused of having ties to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in a nationwide operation, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Tuesday. Among those arrested were journalists, politicians, academics, and members of pro-Kurdish organizations. The arrests took place over the past five days as Turkey continues its crackdown on suspected PKK-linked groups, including the removal of elected pro-Kurdish mayors from office.

Widespread raids and detentions

The nationwide raids targeted 51 provinces, including Ankara and Istanbul. Authorities accuse the suspects of conducting PKK propaganda, providing financial support to the group, recruiting new members, and participating in unauthorized protests. During the operation, police seized two AK-47 assault rifles along with other weapons, Yerlikaya said.

Among those detained were members of the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK), leftist political parties, academics, and a well-known LGBTQ rights activist. The Journalists' Union of Turkey condemned the detention of three journalists in the operation. In a statement posted on social media, the union criticized the way they were apprehended, arguing that they should have been summoned to the police station instead of being taken from their homes in pre-dawn raids.

Crackdown on pro-Kurdish mayors

The Turkish government’s crackdown on pro-Kurdish groups has intensified in recent months. On Saturday, authorities removed the pro-Kurdish DEM Party mayor of Van province from office due to terrorism-related convictions, bringing the total number of dismissed DEM mayors to eight since the 2024 local elections.

PKK conflict and peace efforts

The arrests come amid ongoing discussions about a potential resolution to the decades-long conflict between Turkish authorities and the PKK. Jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan is expected to make a statement regarding peace efforts, four months after a close ally of President Tayyip Erdogan urged him to call on militants to lay down their arms.

The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has been engaged in an armed insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including civilians, security personnel, and PKK fighters.

Political and security implications

Despite occasional ceasefires and peace talks in the past, the Turkish government continues to take a hardline approach against the PKK and its alleged affiliates. Critics argue that the government's actions, including the dismissal of elected mayors, suppress democratic representation and further alienate Kurdish communities.

The latest crackdown comes at a time when Turkey is navigating complex regional dynamics, including security concerns along its borders with Syria and Iraq, where PKK-affiliated groups operate. Turkish military forces frequently conduct cross-border operations targeting PKK strongholds in northern Iraq and Syria.

While the Erdogan government maintains that its actions are necessary to safeguard national security, opposition groups and human rights organizations warn that the arrests and removals of elected officials undermine democratic norms and fuel tensions between the state and Kurdish communities.

As Turkey continues its efforts to dismantle what it describes as PKK networks, the situation remains highly sensitive, with broader implications for political stability and human rights in the country.