SOUTHEAST TURKEY CIVIL UNREST, CLASHES CONTINUE

UNCLAS ADANA 000215 SIPDIS SENSITIVE NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PTER TU ADANA SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY CIVIL UNREST, CLASHES CONTINUE REF: A) ADANA 208 B) ANKARA 6772 1.(SBU) Southeast Turkey's cities and small townships have been experiencing considerable civil unrest and protesting since the 11/9 Semdinli incident in which the Jandarma Intelligence Service is alleged to have bombed a local mayor's public event. Protesters calling for an investigation of the Jandarma Intelligence Service's activities in Hakkari, as well as often espousing support for pro-PKK issues, have clashed with police on an almost nightly basis in Hakkari's cities of Hakkari, Semdinli and Yuksekova, as well as in Van, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Mersin, Mardin and Adana provinces. Press reports indicate approximately a half dozen deaths and several dozen seriously wounded protestors and police in the clashes. 2.(SBU) In Adana, there have been 50-60 strong civilian clashes with the police in neighborhoods 3-4 kilometers from the consulate and 8-10 kilometers from the residences approximately seven evenings since Nov. 13. These clashes frequently have featured Turkish National Police (TNP) deployment of several riot control units and seen rock throwing and Molotov cocktail launching by protestors answered by TNP deployment of water cannons and tear gas accompanied by baton use. Additionally, the TNP told the press that they arrested four ESP (small Socialist leftist group) members on Nov.20 for protesting the Semdinli incident. 3.(SBU) Meanwhile, there are credible press reports of probable PKK terror attacks on GoT security forces in Van, Sirnak and Mardin in the last week, resulting in approximately 8 killed and a dozen wounded. On 11/17, a probable PKK terror attack derailed railroad cars on a train in Van province. GoT forces also reportedly are engaging in counter-terrorist sweep operations in Tunceli, Mardin, Sirnak (near Silopi) and Hakkari provinces. 4.(U) Baghdad minimize considered. REID