SE TURKEY SECURITY INCIDENTS: OCTOBER 05 - OCTOBER 12, 2009

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ADANA 000062 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, INR AND NEA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PTER PINR CASC TU SUBJECT: SE TURKEY SECURITY INCIDENTS: OCTOBER 05 - OCTOBER 12, 2009 ¶1. The following security incidents for the period of October 05 - October 12, 2009 were compiled from RSO sources by the Security Assistant at Consulate Adana, to include Turkish security contacts, government officials and media reports. Similar reports have previously been shared informally by e-mail. Post is now sending this information in cable format to ensure wider and more regular distribution. The RSO uses the information to determine the security situation and trends of violence and crime throughout Turkey. The RSO also tracks the information by location and shares the information with the Country Team and Visas Viper coordinator. ¶2. Military operations against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) as reported by the Turkish General Staff: ¶A. Weapons, ammunition, and equipment seized: Year to date: Security forces seized or safely detonated 179 kilograms of TNT, 84 kilograms of plastic explosive materials, 2100 kilograms of ammonium/potassium nitrate, 45 landmines, and 73 units of unknown explosive material. Hakkari - 10.11.09: Various logistical equipment, food, and an explosive made from 1 kilogram of C-4. Sirnak - 10.09.09: 300 rounds of BKC machine gun ammunition. Sirnak - 10.09.09: 1 hand grenade was found and destroyed on site. Sirnak - 10.06.09: 20 rounds of RPG-7 rocket launcher ammunition, 40 hand grenades, 1500 rounds of Kalashnikov infantry rifle ammunition (7.62 mm),and 840 rounds of BKC machine gun ammunition. Sirnak - 10.02.09: Security forces safely detonated an explosive device made of 10 kilograms of ammonium nitrate and 300 grams of plastic explosives. Sirnak - 10.02.09: Security forces found a round of RPG-7 rocket launcher ammunition. Agri - 10.02.09: Security forces seized 131 rounds of Kalashnikov infantry rifle ammunition, 151 rounds of Biksi machine gun ammunition and 64 rounds of Kannas rifle ammunition. Mardin - 10.02.09: Security forces seized 3 rounds of mortar ammunition. ¶B. PKK members captured or surrendered: 10.06.09 through 10.12.09: Security forces neutralized 5 total PKK members. 2 were captured dead, 1 alive and 2 surrendered. Bitlis - 10.09.09: 1 PKK member surrendered. Bingol - 10.08.09: Security forces found 2 corpses of PKK members who were killed in a clash. Mardin - 10.06.09: 1 PKK member surrendered. Tunceli - 10.06.09: Security forces captured 1 PKK member. ¶C. PKK attacks: Year to date: PKK members carried out 60 incidents using explosive materials. Hakkari - 10.11.09: An explosive device blasted near a military convoy. There was no loss of life or property in the incident. Sirnak - 10.11.09: PKK members attacked a military patrol team; no injury reported. Tunceli - 10.09.09: 2 troops were wounded in a hand grenade explosion. Diyarbakir - 10.07.09: PKK stormed a worksite of a dam construction company setting 2 heavy construction machines and a truck on fire. Tunceli - 10.06.09: 1 soldier was killed and 1 wounded in a clash with PKK. Hakkari - 10.05.09: PKK members attacked security forces with long-range rifles. There was no loss of life. Sirnak - 10.4.09: 1 village guard and 1 civilian were killed in an explosive material blast. ADANA 00000062 002 OF 005 Bitlis - 10.03.09: 2 troops were wounded by a booby trapped explosive. Sirnak - 10.01.09: PKK members killed a soldier in a clash. ¶3. Media reports on Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and pro-Kurdish organizations ¶A. Anti-PKK operations: TAF's anti-PKK operations and deployments continue in Diyarbakir, Siirt, Sirnak, Hakkari, Bitlis, Tunceli and Bingol Provinces. ¶B. Arrests: Sirnak 10.12.09: 1 child was arrested on the charge of "making propaganda for the terror organization PKK." Sirnak - 10.12.09: DTP's Silopi District administrator Nusret Yildirim was arrested on the charge of violating restrictions on marches and demonstrations. Hakkari - 10.11.09: 1 child was arrested on the charge of "making propaganda for the terror organization PKK." Hakkari - 10.11.09: 3 people, who joined in illegal street demonstrations on October 9, were arrested on the charges of "making propaganda for the terror organization PKK," and "resisting a police officer." Diyarbakir - 10.11.09: DTP Kayapinar District Administrator Sevval Karakas and 2 DTP council members were arrested on the charge of "making propaganda for the terror organization PKK." Adana - 10.10.09: 1 person, who joined in pro-Kurdish illegal activities on October 8, was arrested on the charge of "making propaganda for the terror organization PKK." Sanliurfa - 10.10.09: 59 students from Harran University are on trial on the charge of "making propaganda for the terror organization PKK." Van - 10.10.09: 2 people were arrested on the charges of "causing damage to public property" and "threatening the public." Diyarbakir - 10.10.09: Security forces caught 7 people who were in preparations to carry out actions on behalf of the terror organization PKK. The suspects later were arrested. Van - 10.10.09: Security forces caught 7 people who were supplying logistical equipment and food to PKK. Five suspects were later arrested on the charge of "assisting and harboring the terror organization PKK." Sirnak - 10.09.09: Security forces detained 10 people who joined in illegal street clashes. Four of 10 people later were arrested on charges of "making propaganda for the terror organization PKK," and "causing damage to public property." Adana - 10.08.09: Security forces detained 3 employees of the pro-Kurdish Azadiya Welat newspaper on the suspicion of terrorism. Mardin - 10.08.09: 2 children (ages 17),who were detained after the illegal street demonstrations held in October 17, were sentenced to a year in prison on the charge of "making propaganda for the terror organization PKK." Van - 10.08.09: Security forces detained 3 people in Ercis District on the suspicion of terrorism. Sirnak - 10.08.09: Security forces detained a person in Cizre District on the suspicion of terrorism. Hakkari - 10.07.09: Security forces are on high alert and conducting many operations to apprehend terrorists. 3 people, including a police officer, were killed when a group of terrorists opened fire with long-range rifles at a civilian vehicle. Agri - 10.07.09: 18 of 19 people, including DTP Agri Provincial Chairman, who were arrested for "making propaganda for the terror organization PKK," were released by the court decision. Sirnak - 10.07.09: A school principal and a shopkeeper were detained and will face trial because an "expert" said the silhouette of Turkey's founder Ataturk on the school tie really depicted the jailed leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' ADANA 00000062 003 OF 005 Party, Abdullah Ocalan. Hakkari - 10.07.09: Anti-terror teams detained 3 people on the suspicion of terrorism. Van - 10.07.09: Security forces detained 7 people, who were in preparations to take food to the mountain staff of the terror organization PKK. Batman - 10.07.09: Security forces detained 2 people on suspicion of terrorism links. Agri - 10.07.09: Security forces detained 3 people on suspicion of terrorism links Tunceli - 10.06.09: Security forces detained pro-Kurdish Gunluk Newspaper's employee. The person was later released. Hakkari - 10.06.09: Anti-terror teams detained 4 people on suspicion of terrorism links. Sirnak - 10.06.09: Anti-terror teams detained 15 people on suspicion of terrorism links. Adana - 10.05.09: A person was arrested for making "propaganda for the terror organization PKK." ¶C. Other media stories about PKK: 10.09.09 through 10.11.09: PKK supporters mark the 10th anniversary of jailed terrorist leader Abdullah Ocalan's expulsion from Syria, holding demonstrations in the southern provinces of Mersin, Adana, Hakkari, Sirnak, Mardin, Siirt, Van, Diyarbakir and elsewhere. Demonstrators clashed with police in many areas, and some were detained. A police officer in Diyarbakir was wounded during the demonstrations there. Sirnak - 10.12.09: Many people gathered to protest the 10 days of cell punishment which was given to Ocalan. Demonstrators chanted slogans in favor of PKK and Ocalan. Mersin - 10.11.09: PKK supporters gathered in Sevket Sumer Parish for an illegal street demonstration. Security forces intervened with sticks, tear gas bombs and pressurized water and PKK supporters responded with stones, Molotov cocktails and fireworks. Iraq Border - 10.10.09: Iraqi Kurds have expressed concern over a motion passed in the Turkish Parliament this week to extend by one year a mandate to conduct cross-border operations in northern Iraq to eliminate the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) bases there. Bingol - 10.10.09: During excavation process to find a grave of a PKK member who was killed in a clash almost 12 years ago, security forces found mass graveyards. Diyarbakir - 10.10.09: Approximately 3000 people gathered to support Ocalan's road map. The demonstration turned into a clash when a group of people attacked the AK Party's building and security forces with stones. Police intervened with sticks, tear gas bombs and pressurized water and demonstrators responded with Molotov cocktail, stones and fireworks. The clashes spread to many parishes of Diyarbakir. Batman - 10.09.09: Security forces clashed with PKK sympathizers, opening fire in the air with plastic bullets and intervening at demonstrators with sticks, pressurized water and tear gas bombs. PKK supporters responded with stones and Molotov cocktails. 5 people were detained. Mardin - 10.09.09: Security forces intervened at PKK supporters that were holding an illegal street demonstration in Derik District. Mersin - 10.06.09: Almost 60 PKK supporters gathered in Tarsus District and chanted illegal slogans in favor of PKK and Ocalan. Security forces intervened at demonstrators who wanted to block the Adana-Mersin Highway (D-400) temporarily to traffic. Police intervened with tear gas bombs, sticks and pressured water and PKK supporters responded with stones and Molotov cocktails. Hakkari - 10.05.09: PKK members attacked a vehicle with long-range rifles killing 3 people including a police officer. ¶4. Media reports on significant crime or security incidents: Diyarbakir - 10.12.09: The-Sub-Governor's officer in the Ergani District of Diyarbakir was attacked by unidentified people with Molotov cocktails. There was no loss of life or property in the ADANA 00000062 004 OF 005 incident. Adana - 10.12.09: 4 vehicles were set on fire by unidentified people with flammable materials in Mitatpasa and Guzelevler (north) Parishes of Adana. Diyarbakir - 10.12.09: Controversy surrounds the death of a Diyarbakir girl who died while grazing her sheep, reportedly killed by rounds fired from an unknown location overlooking the village of Senlik, sparking anti-government protests throughout the region. Mersin - 10.10.09: A vehicle was set on fire by unidentified people in the Anamur District. Sirnak - 10.11.09: Security forces detained 2 people on the suspicion of terrorism. Hakkari - 10.10.09: The military branch in the Yuksekova District of Hakkari was attacked by unidentified people with hand grenades. There was no loss of life or property in the incident. Tunceli - 10.10.09: Almost 20,000 people held a peaceful anti-government demonstration to protest the ongoing dam construction. Adana - 10.09.09: Unidentified people attempted to set 6 vehicles on fire, which were parked at parking lots of an apartment in Barajyolu Parish (North of Adana). Zap - 10.07.09: A pro-Kurdish news channel reports that the Seve, Petrot, and Kinayis areas of the Zap Region were bombed by Turkish artillery teams for 3 hours. Sanliurfa - 10.07.09: Unidentified people attacked a branch of a bank with bomb. Sanliurfa - 10.06.09: Unidentified people set on fire a civilian vehicle in Siverek District. Mersin - 10.06.09: Unidentified people set fire to 6 vehicles in Toroslar and Cumhuriyet Parishes of Yenisehir District. Malatya - 10.05.09: A heavy construction machine belonging to a private company was set on fire by unidentified people. ¶5. Illegal migrant arrests: 10.02.09 Through10.05.09: Security forces captured and deported 523 illegal migrants from the following regions: Iranian Border, Agri, Syrian Border, Greek Border, Bitlis, Erzurum, Izmir, Mugla, Sirnak, Van, Balikesir, Canakkale, Kilis, Hakkari and Edirne. 10.07.09 through10.11.09: Security forces captured and deported 502 illegal migrants from the following regions: Aegean Coast, Greek Border, Iraqi Border, Iranian Border, Adana, Aydin, Mugla, Igdir, Van, Edirne, Hatay, Hakkari, Canakkale, Sirnak, Gaziantep, Artvin, Agri, Elazig Syrian Border. 7 Turks, who were assisting them, were also detained in the operations. ¶6. Anti-crime operations: Diyarbakir - 10.12.09: The Diyarbakir Police Department's anti-smuggling and organized crime unit has conducted raids in nine provinces as part of an investigation into several Democratic Society Party (DTP)-run municipalities, related institutions and Diyar Inc., an institution established by the Diyarbakir Metropolitan Municipality. Security forces detained 35 DTP members in the recent anti-fraud operations, 11 of whom were later arrested. Sanliurfa - 10.09.09: Security forces seized 200 rounds of Kalashnikov rifle ammunition at a road check point and detained one person. ¶7. Counter-narcotic operations: Kilis - 10.12.09: Security forces seized 600 units of drug pills and detained a person. Van - 10.12.09: Security forces seized 21 kilograms of hashish and detained one person. Hatay - 10.12.09: Security forces seized 12 kilograms of hashish and detained 2 people who were later arrested. Erzurum - 10.10.09: Security forces detained 12 people in an anti-narcotic operation, 7 of whom were later arrested. ADANA 00000062 005 OF 005 Bingol - 10.09.09: Security forces seized 5 kilograms of hashish and detained 3 people, 2 of whom were later arrested. Sanliurfa - 10.07.09: Security forces seized 105 kilograms of hashish and detained 3 people. Van - 10.07.09: Security forces seized 39 kilograms of hashish and detained 1 person. Bingol - 10.06.09: Security forces seized 567 kilograms of hashish, 135 seeds of Indian hemp, 45 kilograms of heroin, 12 tons of smuggled tea, and 150 boxes of smuggled cigarettes in the first 9 months of 2009. Security forces detained 931 people in the operations. Diyarbakir - 10.06.09: Security forces seized 316 kilograms of hashish in 15 separate operations conducted against street vendors. Malatya - 10.06.09: Security forces seized 7,250 drug pills. Elazig - 10.06.09: Security forces seized 5 kilograms of hashish and arrested 1 person. Van - 10.06.09: Security forces seized 45 kilograms of hashish and arrested 1 person. Van - 10.05.09: Security forces seized 37 kilograms of hashish and detrained 1 person. Diyarbakir - 10.05.09: Security forces seized 28 kilograms of hashish. DARNELL