The Turkish government has imposed curfew on 39 villages in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır taking effect from 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, while military operations on the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) continue.
The move comes after one day-long curfews on 33 other Diyarbakır villages were lifted on Wednesday. The newly-declared curfew applies to villages in the districts of Lice, Hazro.
In the meantime, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) launched airstrikes over rural areas of Lice between 7:40 p.m. and 7:50 p.m. targeting PKK groups. Another series of airstrikes were conducted over the northern Iraqi areas of Metina and Haftanin, where PKK is based. Reports say around 5,000 military personnel have been taking part in the operations.
According to a statement by the Diyarbakır Government’s Office, the operations are intended to destroy shelters and bases used by PKK members and that the curfew, which will last until further notice, is meant to secure the life safety of civilians. It was reported in the media that the operations are also aiming at destroying 50 tons of cannabis in the area, which is known as a primary financial resource for the PKK.
