UPTICK IN VIOLENT CLASHES IN SOUTHEAST

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADANA 0274 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PREL PHUM ASEC IZ TU ADANA SUBJECT: UPTICK IN VIOLENT CLASHES IN SOUTHEAST TURKEY REF: A) ADANA 271 B) ADANA 272 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Southeastern Turkey has seen an increase in violent clashes since the beginning of September. According to credible press reporting which the consulate has been able to corroborate on multiple occasions, there have been ten significant clashes resulting in multiple deaths and injuries, of which eight appear to be at PKK/KADEK initiative and one which appears to be at the GoT's instigation. One violent attack in Tunceli is difficult to attribute; Tunceli in the past has seen both DHKP-C and PKK/KADEK activity. In the preceding months of July-August, there were six total attacks, while there were ten attacks in May-June ¶2003. While the scale and scope of the attacks are still limited, the PKK/KADEK appears to be taking the initiative to attack what it considers to be vulnerable GoT targets in Bingol, Hakkari, Diyarbakir, Mardin, Adana and Agri provinces, as well as along the Tunceli/Bingol provincial border. Finally, PKK/KADEK has declared to the press that it has established a "new unit" calling itself the "People's Protection Force." It appears to have undertaken at least one offensive operation, but corroboration of information on both the unit and this attack currently is limited. END SUMMARY. 2.(SBU) Most of the recent attacks have been in rural or village areas, although two attacks recently have occurred in urban zones bordering larger population centers. For example, on October 15, "terrorists," widely considered to be PKK/KADEK-associated, attacked a Jandarma minibus in the Kurkculer suburb of Adana at approximately 2000L. The attack occurred near an Adana prison and the minibus may have been carrying Jandarma personnel who had completed a shift change at the detention facility. One Jandarma soldier was reportedly killed in the attack and two more were reportedly injured. Police report finding approximately 65 shell casings in the vicinity of the attack site in post-attack investigations (REFS.A-B). 3.(SBU) Additionally, there have been numerous clashes between DEHAP protestors and GOT security forces which have resulted in arrests and or violence resulting in non-lethal injuries. These clashes have taken place in Mersin, Adana, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Siirt, Sirnak, Van and Mardin provinces. 4.(SBU) There are four reports of civilians killed or seriously injured by stepping on landmines or encountering unexploded ordnance in parts of regions associated with past PKK/KADEK activity. 5.(SBU) Finally, PKK/KADEK has declared to friendly press outlets that it has established a "new unit" calling itself the "People's Protection Force (Heze Parastine Gel in Kermanji)" to retaliate against GoT security forces it considers to have used force "against peaceful Kurdish demonstrators." This unit, however, also has claimed responsibility for an Oct. 13 attack in a rural area of Hakkari linked to an earlier PKK/KADEK cadre clash with security forces. Reportedly up to ten GoT forces were killed during this attack and several more wounded. Consulate corroboration on this unit's alleged attack is limited. 6.(SBU) Comment: Who has instigated these clashes is not clear, but the restart of violent attacks by PKK/KADEK plays into the hands of those in the Turkish State who want to keep southeastern Turkey under tight security control. REID