Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10ADANA1
2010-01-08 14:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Adana
Cable title:  

SE TURKEY SECURITY INCIDENTS: DECEMBER 28, 2009 - JANUARY 3,

Tags:  ASEC PTER PINR CASC TU 
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RR RUEHDA
DE RUEHDA #0001/01 0081415
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081415Z JAN 10
FM AMCONSUL ADANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4828
INFO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 1370
RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 1134
RUEHDA/AMCONSUL ADANA 1437
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ADANA 000001 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/EUR, DS/IP/ITA, INR AND EUR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PTER PINR CASC TU
SUBJECT: SE TURKEY SECURITY INCIDENTS: DECEMBER 28, 2009 - JANUARY 3,
2010

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ADANA 000001

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/EUR, DS/IP/ITA, INR AND EUR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PTER PINR CASC TU
SUBJECT: SE TURKEY SECURITY INCIDENTS: DECEMBER 28, 2009 - JANUARY 3,
2010


1. (U) The following security incidents for the period of
December 28, 2009 - January 3, 2010 were compiled by the
security assistant at Consulate Adana from RSO sources, to
include Turkish security contacts, government officials and
media. The RSO uses the information to determine the security
situation and trends of violence and crime throughout Turkey.
The RSO shares the information with the country team and visas
viper coordinator.


2. (U) Military operations against the Kurdistan Workers' Party
(PKK) as reported by the Turkish General Staff:

-------------- --------------
--------------

A. Weapons, ammunition, and equipment seized:
-------------- --------------
--------------

12.31.09 through 01.01.10: 180 kilograms of TNT; 92 kilograms of
plastic explosive material; 2,408 kilograms of
ammonium/potassium nitrate; 54 kilograms of unknown plastic
explosives; 48 landmines; and 98 other types of explosives. 74
IED attacks were carried out by PKK members in the same period.

Van - 01.01.10: 2 Kalashnikov rifles, 10 magazines, and 5
pistols.

Sirnak - 12.31.09: 14 kilograms of TNT, 25 grams of A-4 plastic
explosive, 9 meters of explosion fuse, and 1 cell phone.

Batman - 12.30.09: Food and logistical equipment.

Batman - 12.29.09: 300 kilograms of food and an IED made of 1
kilogram of C-4 plastic explosive.

Van - 12.29.09: 4 rounds of RPG-7 ammunition.

Hakkari - 12.27.09: Security forces found and destroyed 3
anti-tank mines.

-------------- --------------

B. PKK members captured or surrendered:
-------------- --------------

December 2009: Security forces captured 32 PKK members: 2 dead,
5 alive and 25 surrendered.

12.28.09 through 01.03.10: Security forces captured 9 PKK
members: 2 alive and 7 surrendered.


3. (U) Media reports related to PKK and pro-Kurdish
organizations:

--------------

A. Anti-PKK operations:
--------------

Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) anti-PKK operations in SE Turkey
continued in Hakkari, Sirnak. Siirt, Mardin, Van, Batman,
Diyarbakir, Batman and Gaziantep.

Tunceli - 01.03.10: Operation launched against PKK groups that
have reportedly not yet retreated to winter shelters.



N. Iraq - 12.31.09: TAF artillery teams bombed Zap region; no
injuries reported.

Hakkari - 12.28.09: Pro-PKK web site ANF reported Turkish war
helicopters had been spotted near the Iranian border.

--------------

B. Arrests:
--------------

Adana - 01.03.10: Security forces arrested 12 minors in December
on the charge of "joining in illegal demonstration on behalf of
the PKK," and the Adana governor criticized the children's
parents for allowing such behavior.

Van - 01.01.10 and 01.03.10: Security forces detained 10 people
on the suspicion of terrorism.

Van - 01.01.10: Security forces arrested 2 people on the charges
of "assisting and harboring the PKK."

Sirnak - 01.03.10: Security forces detained 18 people in an
anti-PKK operation and seized 2 rifles, 4 pistols, recording
devices, Molotov cocktails, fireworks, explosive materials, and
500 grams of hashish.

ADANA 00000001 002 OF 005



Hakkari - 12.31.09: Security forces arrested 9 people, including
1 wanted terrorist, on the charge of "making propaganda for the
PKK."

Sirnak - 12.31.09: Security forces detained 30 people on the
suspicion of terrorism.

Van - 12.31.09: Security forces arrested 7 people on the charges
of "making propaganda for the PKK," and "damaging public
property."

Hakkari - 12.31.09: Security forces arrested 9 people on the
charges of "membership in the PKK," and "making propaganda for
the PKK."

Diyarbakir - 12.30.09: The trial of 31 members of the Turkish
Hezbollah (TH) organization concluded with 16 sentenced to life
in prison. Seven were released and the remaining received
lesser sentences. The TH members were accused of 198 violent
crimes 1990 and 1999 that resulted in 165 dead and 84 wounded.
The offenders were apprehended in 2000.

Mardin - 12.30.09: Security forces arrested 2 people on the
charge of "making propaganda for the PKK."

Mus and Bitlis - 12.30.09: Security forces detained 4 people on
the suspicion of terrorism.

Sanliurfa - 12.30.09: Security forces arrested 5 people on the
charges of "membership in the PKK," and "making propaganda for
the PKK."

Sirnak - 12.30.09: 11 people, including incumbent mayors, were
sentenced for a cumulative 11 years in prison on the charges of
"instigating hatred and animosity" and "making propaganda for
the PKK."

Batman - 12.30.09: Security forces detained 1 person on the
suspicion of terrorism.

Sanliurfa - 12.30.09: 53 people, who joined in an illegal march
to protest Abdullah Ocalan's prison conditions, are under
investigation on the charge of "violating restrictions on
marches and demonstrations."

Sanliurfa - 12.30.09: Former DTP Chairman Ahmet Turk's niece was
sentenced to 10 years in prison on the charge of "making
propaganda for the PKK."

Hakkari - 12.20.09: Security forces detained a total number of
17 demonstrators during illegal street clashes in Yuksekova and
Hakkari.

Mersin - 12.30.09: Security forces arrested 8 people on the
charge of "membership in the PKK."

Diyarbakir - 12.30.09: Security forces arrested 5 people on the
charge of "joining in illegal actions on behalf of the PKK."

Bingol - 12.30.09: Security forces detained 1 person on the
suspicion of terrorism.

Diyarbakir - 12.30.09: Security forces detained 4 employees of
the pro-Kurdish Free People Magazine and confiscated copies of
the publication.

Diyarbakir - 12.30.09: An employee of the pro-Kurdish Dicle News
Agency was sentenced to 10 months in prison on the charge of
"making propaganda for the PKK."

Hakkari - 12.30.09: Security forces detained 6 people on the
suspicion of terrorism.

Sanliurfa - 12.30.09: Security forces arrested DTP Chairman of
Viransehir on the charge of "being member of a terror
organization."

Batman - 12.28.09: Security forces arrested 12 people on the
charge of "making propaganda for the PKK."

Mersin, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir and Van - 12.28.09: Police
captured 11 people who were preparing to carry out
assassinations on behalf of the PKK. It was reported that the
PKK's team, including 2 members in the Adana region, were
targeting top-level GOT administrators in the region.

Van - 12.28.09: Security forces arrested 12 people on the charge
of "making propaganda for the PKK."

ADANA 00000001 003 OF 005



Diyarbakir - 12.28.09: Security forces detained 5 people on the
suspicion of terrorism.

Sanliurfa - 12.28.09: Security forces arrested 1 person on the
charge of "making propaganda for the PKK."

Diyarbakir - 12.28.09: Security forces detained 7 people,
including BDP (Peace and Democracy Party) members, on the
suspicion of terrorism.

-------------- --------------

C. Other media stories about the PKK:
-------------- --------------

Turkish media reported that in 2009, security forces captured
105 PKK members of whom 61 were killed and 156 surrendered. In
2008, 670 were killed, 273 were captured and 174 surrendered. In
2007, 315 were killed, 229 were captured and 109 surrendered.

Pro-PKK web site ANF reported that in 2009, TAF carried out 273
operations, including 49 air-strikes and 168 howitzer and mortar
attacks. 128 Turkish troops and 94 PKK members were killed in 24
clashes and 7 guerilla actions.

Diyarbakir - 01.03.10: The pro-PKK "Aydin Erdem Revenge Brigade"
attacked two banks with Molotov cocktails.

N.Iraq - 01.02.10: 41 new recruits joined the PKK.

Sanliurfa - 01.02.10: Opening ceremony of the BDP turned into a
pro-PKK demonstration. Approximately 500 people joined in the
ceremony and chanted slogans in favor of PKK leader Abdullah
Ocalan.

Diyarbakir - 01.02.10: Approximately 400 people gathered to
protest recent anti-KCK operations. Demonstrators chanted
pro-PKK and Ocalan slogans and made a press statement.

Sirnak - 12.31.09 - 01.03.10: PKK supporters blocked the
Cizre-Sirnak highway to traffic and clashed with security
forces; no injuries reported.

Mersin - 12.31.09: Security forces arrested 2 people in an
anti-organized-crime operation.

Diyarbakir - 12.30.09: Many members of pro-Kurdish "Free Citizen
Union" gathered to protest anti-KCK operations. Police
intervened with tear gas, pressurized water and batons, and
demonstrators responded with Molotov cocktails, stones and
firecrackers. Approximately 20 people blocked
Diyarbakir-Hakkari highway and ignited trash barrels.
Demonstrators stoned an Iranian passenger bus, wounding 2
people.

Malatya - 12.30.09: Security forces found 1,870 Kalashnikov
rounds and 200 G-3 infantry rifle rounds.

Mardin - 12.30.09: Police intervened in a pro-PKK demonstration
with tear gas, batons and pressurized water. Demonstrators
responded with Molotov cocktails and stones.

Hakkari - 12.30.09 - 01.02.10: PKK sympathizers blocked the
Yuksekova-Van Highway to traffic. Police intervened with tear
gas and pressurized water while PKK supporters responded with
stones and Molotov cocktails.

Mardin - 12.30.09: Shopkeepers shuttered their establishments to
protest the recent anti-KCK operation.

Adana - 12.30.09: Pro-PKK web site ANF said the Governorship of
Adana has cancelled social service medical privileges for 17,000
on the suspicion of terrorism.

Van - 12.30.09: Many people gathered to protest anti-KCK
operations. Demonstrators chanted pro-PKK and Ocalan slogans.
Protestors blocked the NATO road in Ova Parish. Security forces
intervened with tear gas and pressurized water. PKK supporters
responded with stones. The clash continued for almost 1 hour.

Hakkari - 12.30.09: Approximately 3000 people joined in the
opening ceremony of BDP. Demonstrators chanted pro-PKK and
Ocalan slogans. 2 Turkish war jets made low altitude fly-bys
during the opening ceremony, an action that was protested by the
crowd.

Batman, Sanliurfa, Mardin, Hakkari, Mersin, Van and Diyarbakir -
12.30.09: Thousands of people gathered to protest recent
anti-KCK operations. Demonstrators chanted pro-PKK and Ocalan

ADANA 00000001 004 OF 005


slogans. . No clashes or arrests occurred.

Hakkari - 12.28.09: Approximately 3000 people gathered for the
opening ceremony of the BDP. Clashes erupted between PKK
supporters and security forces after the opening ceremony.
Approximately 1000 demonstrators who wanted to hold an illegal
march threw stones and Molotov cocktails and police intervened
with tear gas, pressurized water and batons. Demonstrators
stoned banks and official buildings. Security forces detained
at least 8 people.

Malatya - 12.28.09: PKK supporters set fire to some 15 vehicles
to protest the recent anti-KCK operations.

Batman - 12.28.09 - 01.03.10: Thousands of people, including the
Batman mayor, gathered in mass meetings organized by the BDP to
protest the recent anti-KCK operations across Turkey.
Demonstrators chanted pro-PKK and Ocalan slogans. No clashes or
arrests were reported.

Van - 12.28.09: Approximately 10,000 people gathered in front of
the BDP building to protest anti-KCK operations.

Sirnak - 12.28.09: Security forces clashed with PKK supporters.
Police intervened with tear gas and pressurized water; at least
3 people were detained.

Hakkari - 12.28.09 and 01.02.10: Security forces clashed with
PKK sympathizers and detained 22 people. Fifteen people,
including 4 police officers, were wounded.


4. (U) Media reports on significant crime or security incidents:

Kahramanmaras - 01.02.10: The Marxist Leninist Communist Party
claimed responsibility for the concussion bomb placed near the
BBP (Great Unity Party) headquarters on December 18, 2009.

Adiyaman - 01.02.10: Security forces detained 10 people in an
anti-organized-crime operation. On the same day, unidentified
people attacked an ATM with stones.

Batman - 01.02.10: Security forces detained 2 people in an
anti-smuggling operation.

Hakkari - 01.02.10: Security forces seized 3 historical
artifacts and detained 1 person.

Van - 01.02.10: Iranian troops shot an Iranian smuggler who was
trying to enter into Turkey illegally.

Diyarbakir - 01.01.10: Unidentified people in snow masks
attempted to attack AK Party's Provincial Building with Molotov
cocktails.

Diyarbakir - 2009: Security forces detained 59 people and
arrested 42 of them in anti-weapons-trafficking operations. 73
pistols, 3 Kalashnikovs, 109 magazines, and 1,277 rounds of
ammunition were seized. In separate operations against other
types of crime, security forces detained 208 people and arrested
18 of them. Security forces detained approximately 1,500 people
in over 500 anti-organized crime operations and arrested 449 of
them.

Hakkari - 12.31.09: Iranian security forces detained 10 Turkish
citizens on charges of smuggling oil across the border.

Kilis and Mardin - 12.31.09: Security forces detained 2 people
in anti-organized-crime operations.

Sanliurfa - 12.30.09: 9 people, including 7 police officers,
were wounded in a fire fight which broke out among people
standing in line.

Malatya - 12.30.09: As part of the Ergenekon investigation,
Special. Sgt. Veysel Sahin's testimony claims the retired
colonel who is suspected of links to the killings of three
Christians in Malatya in 2007 was also implicated in the
Semdinli affair of 2005 (when two noncommissioned officers and a
PKK informant were caught planting a bomb at the Umut Bookstore
in the southeastern town of Semdinli).

Malatya - 12.30.09: 2 students were injured in a clash at Inonu
University. Security forces detained many students. The incident
is under investigation.

Adana - 12.28.09: 2 simultaneous concussion bombs exploded. The
first bomb was placed by the MHP headquarters close to military
residences, and exploded at 20:55. The second bomb was placed
near the GOT-operated Ziraat Bank. No causalities reported.

ADANA 00000001 005 OF 005


According to Adana's police chief, nobody has claimed
responsibility and there are no suspects.


5. (U) Illegal immigrant arrests:

12.27.09 through 01.02.10: Security forces captured and deported
853 illegal immigrants from: Kirklareli, Erzurum, Nigde,
Tekirdag, Van, Aydin, Hatay, Aksaray, Hakkari, Sirnak, Bitlis,
Edirne, the Aegean Coast and the borders of Iran, Iraq, Syria
and Greece. 8 Turks assisting them were also detained in the
operations.


6. (U) Counter-narcotic operations:

The Turkish National Police report the following anti-narcotics
operations: 13 tons of drugs confiscated in 1,100 operations in

2007. In 2008, 15 tons of drugs were seized in 1407 operations.
Police confiscated 8.5 tons of drugs in the first 6 months of

2009.

Diyarbakir - 2009: Security forces seized 7 tons of hashish in
249 separate operations and detained 462 people; of those, 331
were later arrested and 131 people are still under
investigation.

Gaziantep - 01.03.10: Security forces confiscated 53 kilograms
of hashish and detained 4 people.

Siirt - 01.02.10: Security forces seized 15 kilograms of hashish
and arrested 2 people.

Diyarbakir - 12.31.09: Security forces seized 112 kilograms of
hashish and arrested 4 people.

Hatay - 12.30.09: Security forces seized 2 kilograms of hashish
and detained 2 people.

Gaziantep - 12.30.09: Security forces detained 13 people.

Diyarbakir - 12.30.09: Security forces seized 385 kilograms of
hashish belonging to the PKK and arrested 1 person on the charge
of "assisting and harboring the PKK."

Istanbul - 12.30.09: Security forces detained 6 people from SE
Turkey.

Izmir - 12.28.09: Security forces confiscated 118 kilograms of
hashish and detained 1 person. Reportedly, the hashish was
brought from Diyarbakir.

Kahramanmaras - 12.28.09: Security forces seized 48 kilograms of
hashish and detained 7 people.
DARNELL