DIYARBAKIR, Turkey—Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Diyarbakir on Monday to protest against police violence on protesters in the city of Cizre that has led to the death of six civilians in the past few months.
The protesters condemned the Turkish police for killing five children in one of the demonstrations in Cizre and stood in solidarity with the Kurdish city.
A group of supporters of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) formed a self-administration in Cizre last October which sparked clashes between them and followers of the HUDA-PAR, an Islamic Kurdish party.
Co-chair of the Regional Democratic Party (DBP) Hafize Ipek, said in a speech at Monday’s rally that the Turkish government “was taking revenge against Kurdish children.”
Ipek said that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) was responsible for the disproportionate use of force by the police against the civilian protesters.
Since October the city of Cizre has been the scene of regular confrontations between supporters of the PKK and HUDA-PAR, with the police accused of siding with the pro-government protesters.
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