PKK attacks Turkish army base in Hakkari kills >30

[Anthea]

PKK attacks Turkish army base in Hakkari killing over 30 soldiers

Rebel fighters of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) launched an offensive on a major Turkish army base in Hakkari Province, in southeastern Turkey, military sources reported on Saturday.

The operation targeted Turkey’s military base in Çelê district in Hakkari, where the Kurdish rebels used mortar shells and heavy machine guns.

At least 34 Turkish soldiers were reportedly killed in the attack.

The PKK leadership said in a statement to ARA News that the offensive came in response to attacks by the Turkish army against Kurdish villages and towns in Hakkari Province.

“Unless there is a political solution to the Kurdish issue in Turkey, the armed conflict will continue and intensify,” Kurdish lawyer and human rights activist Omran Mansour told ARA News.

“Turkey has eliminated all chances for dialogue with the Kurds, especially after arresting Kurdish MPs and members of the HDP [People’s Democratic Party],” he said.

Mansour added that the recent PKK operations have been focused on the Turkish military and security bases. “However, we still support dialogue and peaceful negotiations to stop violations against human rights in the Kurdish region in southeastern Turkey,” he said.

“But the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan insists to use force against Kurdish villages and towns, which will lead to a further intensification of violence across the country,” the Kurdish activist added.

http://aranews.net/2016/12/pkk-attacks- ... -soldiers/