Turkey rounds up 47 in Adana ahead of Kurdish Newroz celebrations
Law enforcement in Adana province arrested 47, including five women and 10 children, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Friday.
They are suspected of planning armed attacks at the encouragement of the PKK. The province is in southern Turkey and touches the Mediterranean, about 145 kilometers northwest of Turkey’s seven-week operation in Afrin.
The People’s Democratic Party (HDP), largest pro-Kurdish party in Turkey announced Kurds plan to celebrate their New Year’s tradition.
"Newroz is resistance. On Wednesday, March 21, we will celebrate the fire of Newroz against fascism and to celebrate the spring of nations,” tweeted HDP.
HDP has also released "Newroz Piroz be" banners and handouts in Kurdish and Turkish, which have no PKK or Ocalanist symbols.
Turkish authorities banned Newroz celebrations in Istanbul and Ankara in 2017, claiming that the public gatherings could cause provocations.
Turkey has been in a “state of emergency” since a failed military coup in 2016. It has allowed Turkish authorities to round up anyone they deem to be acting against the interests of the Turkish state.
Iran interrogated people in early March on allegations of spreading anti-regime propaganda during Newroz celebrations last year.
During the New Year events, people celebrate by displaying Kurdish symbols through clothing, flags, and music and food.
Traditional Newroz celebrations often include Kurds lighting torches on mountaintops. Stretching from the states of Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Syria, the fires unite the kindred spirit of the Kurdish nation.