SE TURKEY SECURITY INCIDENTS: JANUARY 11-19, 2010

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ADANA 000005 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: JANUARY 11-19, 2010 ¶1. (U) The following security incidents for the period of January 11-19, 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: -------------- -------------- -------------- Hakkari - 01.16.10: 105 kilograms of food and logistical and medical equipment. Siirt - 01.15.10: 3 Kalashnikovs, 13 magazines, 417 rounds of ammunition, 1 rifle, 22 rounds of pistol ammunition. Sirnak - 01.12.10: 1 round of RPG-7. -------------- -------------- ¶B. PKK members captured or surrendered: -------------- -------------- 01.13.10 through 01.19.10: Security forces captured 5 PKK members alive. Hakkari - 01.16.10: Iranian troops handed over 2 PKK members at the Esendere Border Gate. Hatay - 1.15.10: 1 PKK member was captured. Sirnak - 01.12.10: Security forces captured 2 PKK members. -------------- ¶C. PKK attacks: -------------- Mardin - 01.12.10: 1 civilian was wounded in an IED blast. Batman - 01.17.10: 1 soldier wounded and 1 killed in a clash. ¶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 Tunceli, Sirnak, Batman, Hatay, Siirt, Hakkari and Bingol. 01.19.10 - Tunceli and Bingol: TAF launched anti-terror operations based on information that PKK members may protest Ocalan's prison conditions. ¶N. Iraq - 01.15.10: TAF artillery teams bombed mountainous terrain of Semdinli. -------------- ¶B. Arrests: -------------- Mardin - 01.19.10: BDP's (Peace and Democracy Party) Provincial Chairman is on trial on the charge of "making propaganda for the PKK." Van - 01.19.10: Security forces arrested 1 person on the charge of "making propaganda for the PKK." Bitlis - 01.19.10: Security forces detained 9 people on the suspicion of terrorism. Mus - 01.19.10: Security forces detained 2 people on the suspicion of terrorism. Sirnak - 01.19.10: Security forces detained 2 members of the pro-Kurdish Azadiya Welat (Free Country) newspaper on the suspicion of terrorism. Sanliurfa - 01.19.10: Security forces detained 1 person on the suspicion of terrorism. ADANA 00000005 002 OF 005 Malatya - 01.19.10: Security forces detained 1 student on the suspicion of terrorism. Hakkari - 01.19.10: Security forces detained 3 people on the suspicion of terrorism. Sirnak - 01.18.10: Security forces detained 23 people in anti-KCK operation on the suspicion of terrorism. Van - 01.17.10: Security forces detained 3 people who threw stones at police on the suspicion of terrorism. Security forces also arrested a singer of the pro-Kurdish Koma Gulistan music group on the charge of "making propaganda for the PKK." Malatya - 01.17.10: A clash erupted between Kurdish and Turkish students at Inonu University. One student was injured and security forces detained at least 10. Bitlis - 01.16.10: Security forces arrested 12 people on the charges of "assisting and harboring the PKK." Mersin - 01.16.10: Security forces detained 1 person on the suspicion of terrorism. Bingol - 01.15.10: Security forces arrested 2 people on the charges of "assisting and harboring the PKK." Sanliurfa - 01.15.10: 24 people, including former DTP members, are on trial on the charge of "violating restrictions on marches and demonstrations." Batman - 01.15.10: Security forces arrested 1 person on the charge of "joining un illegal actions on behalf of the PKK." Van - 01.14.10: Security forces arrested 2 people on the charge of "damaging public property." Batman - 01.14.10: Security forces detained 2 people on the suspicion of terrorism. Hatay - 01.14.10: Security forces detained 15 people on the charge of "chanting illegal slogans in favor of the PKK and Ocalan." Four were arrested on the charges of "making propaganda for the PKK," and "joining in illegal actions in favor of the PKK." Sanliurfa - 01.14.10: Security forces detained 4 people on the suspicion of terrorism and arrested 1 person on the charge of "membership in the PKK." Security forces also detained 4 minors on the charge of "making propaganda for the PKK." Siirt - 01.14.10: Twenty-two members of the pro-Kurdish YDGM (PKK's youth wing) are on trial on the charges of "membership in the PKK," and "joining in illegal actions on behalf of the PKK." Hakkari - 01.14.10: Security forces arrested 3 people on the charge of "making propaganda for the PKK." Bitlis - 01.14.10: Security forces arrested 20 people on the charge of "making propaganda for the PKK." Malatya - 01.14.10: Twenty-seven people, including an employee of the Dicle News Agency, were sentenced for a cumulative 170 years in prison on the charge of "membership in PKK." Three people were acquitted. Batman - 01.14.10: Security forces arrested 2 members of the BDP women's branch on the charge of "membership in the PKK." In a separate operation, security forces detained 3 people on the suspicion of terrorism. Bingol - 01.14.10: Three people arrested in a police operation targeting Kurdish Communities Union (KCK) members. The 6 suspects had been detained on charges that they were involved in Molotov cocktail attacks and for promoting the PKK. Hakkari - 01.13.10: Security forces arrested 3 people on the charge of "making propaganda for the PKK." Bingol - 01.13.10: Security forces arrested 3 people on the charge of "making propaganda for the PKK." Adana - 01.13.10: Security forces arrested 2 people on the charges of "membership in the PKK," and "making propaganda for the PKK." Mersin - 01.13.10: Security forces detained 19 people on the suspicion of terrorism. Mersin police detained over 100 people in recent weeks in anti-KCK operations. ADANA 00000005 003 OF 005 Sirnak - 01.13.10: Security forces arrested 7 people on the charge of "making propaganda for the PKK," and detained 2 people on the suspicion of terrorism. Bitlis - 01.13.10: Security forces detained 28 people on the suspicion of terrorism. Seven were later arrested on the charges of "chanting illegal slogans in favor of PKK and Ocalan," and "making propaganda for the PKK." Sanliurfa: 01.13.10: Security forces arrested 1 person on the charge of "making propaganda for the PKK." Diyarbakir - 01.13.10: Security forces detained 2 members of the BDP on the suspicion of terrorism. Hakkari - 01.13.10: Security forces detained a member of the YDG-M (PKK's youth wing) on the suspicion of terrorism. Mardin - 01.13.10: Security forces arrested an employee of Azadiya Welat Newspaper on the charge of "making propaganda for the PKK." Diyarbakir - 01.12.10: Public prosecutors questioned Mayor Osman Baydemir for 4 hours as part of the recent anti-KCK operation. His travel from Turkey has been restricted by court order. Adana - 01.12.10: Security forces detained 20 people, including DTP's former district chairman, on the charges of "chanting illegal slogans in favor of PKK and Ocalan," and "joining in illegal actions on behalf of the PKK." Organizational documents, magazines, and pictures related to the PKK were seized in the operation. Bitlis - 01.12.10: Security forces arrested 11 people on the charges of "making propaganda for the PKK," and "chanting illegal slogans in favor of PKK and Ocalan." Protesters subsequently gathered at the courthouse, where security forces later intervened with batons and tear gas. Police detained over 70 people including BDP's provincial mayor, district mayors, and municipality council members. Hakkari - 01.12.10: Security forces arrested three people in an anti-terror operation on the charges of "destroying public property," and "making propaganda for the PKK." Diyarbakir - 01.12.10: Security forces detained two members of the BDP women's branch. Adana - 01.12.10: Security forces arrested three people on the charges of "membership in the PKK," and "carrying out illegal actions on behalf of the PKK." Sirnak - 01.12.10: Security forces detained 39 people on the suspicion of terrorism in. Mardin - 01.12.10: Security forces detained an employee of Azadiya Welat Newspaper on the suspicion of terrorism. Sirnak - 01.12.10: Security forces detained 8 people on the suspicion of terrorism. Adana - 01.11.10: Security forces detained 6 people, including 3 minors, on the charge of "joining in illegal street actions on behalf of the PKK." Gaziantep - 01.11.10: Security forces detained 10 people on the suspicion of terrorism. Van - 01.11.10: 2 people, who threw Molotov cocktails at police, were sentenced cumulatively to 23 years in prison on the charge of "joining in illegal street actions on behalf of the PKK." Mus - 01.11.10: Two village guards are on trial for killing two at a demonstration protesting DTP's closure. Diyarbakir - 01.11.10: Fifteen members of the Kandil Peace Group are under investigation on the charge of "making propaganda for the PKK." Van - 01.11.10: Twenty-one students were detained for recruiting other students to participate in demonstrations in support of the PKK after a two-month police operation. Eleven students were later arrested on the charges of "membership in the PKK," and "making propaganda for the PKK." -------------- -------------- ¶C. Other media stories about the PKK: -------------- -------------- ADANA 00000005 004 OF 005 Diyarbakir - 01.19.10: Unidentified people attacked a supermarket with Molotov cocktails. Pro-PKK Aydin Erdem Revenge Brigade has claimed the responsibility of the attack. Hakkari - 01.19.10: Pro-PKK web Site ANF reported that a minor was beaten by 3 or 4 plainclothes police officers. Adiyaman - 01.18.10: Unidentified people attacked BDP social facilities with stones. Van - 01.18.10: BDP members have started a hunger strike to protest anti-KCK operations. Hakkari - 01.17.10 and 01.18.10: Security forces intervened in a pro-PKK demonstration with tear gas, pressurized water and batons. PKK supporters responded with stones and Molotov cocktails; no injuries reported. Siirt - 01.17.10: Members of the Peace Mothers held a sit-in to protest anti-KCK operations. Diyarbakir and Batman - 01.17.10: A senior sergeant was killed in a clash with the PKK and one other was injured. An investigation is underway, focusing on the possible involvement of village guards. Batman - 01.14.10: The pro-Kurdish Democracy Platform has started a signature campaign to protest anti-KCK operations. Sirnak - 01.14.10: Employees of Sirnak Municipality staged a sit-in to protest recent anti-KCK operations. Diyarbakir - 01.13.09: Security forces caught 5 PKK members who were in preparations to carryout terrorist actions. Two hand grenades, one Kalashnikov, one pistol, 157 rounds of bullet, six magazines, and organizational documents were seized in the operation. Adana - 01.13.10: A protest of recent anti-KCK operations was held in front of the BDP building. Bitlis - 01.13.10: Hundreds of people gathered in front of the BDP building to protest recent anti-KCK operations and detentions. Van - 01.13.10 and 01.12.10: YODER (PKK's University Structure) held marches and press statements to protest the detention of its members and recent anti-KCK operations. No clash or arrest occurred. Hakkari - 01.11.10: A group of PKK sympathizers gathered to protest recent anti-KCK operation, chanting slogans in favor of PKK and Ocalan. Sanliurfa - 01.11.10: BDP (Peace and Democracy Party) has started a signature campaign to protest recent anti-KCK operations. ¶4. (U) Media reports on significant crime or security incidents: Adiyaman - 01.19.10: Security forces confiscated 2 Kalashnikovs and many historical artifacts. 2 people were detained in the operations. Mersin - 01.18.10: Security forces detained 4 people in an anti-smuggling operation. Sanliurfa - 01.18.10: Security forces detained 13 people in an anti-weapons-smuggling operation. Sanliurfa - 01.16.10: Security forces confiscated 24 anti-tank mines and 70 detonation fuses. One person was arrested in the operation. Hakkari - 01.14.10: Security forces found a corpse of a child in a rural area. Sirnak - 01.14.10: The police department in Cizre district is paying 1-3 Turkish Lira to children for disposed tires in order to prevent them being set on fire during demonstrations to barricade the streets. Hakkari - 01.14.10: AKP's regional head of youth programs was targeted with a car bomb. No injuries reported, and police are investigating. Mersin - 01.13.10: Human Rights Union (IHD) branch of Tarsus held a march to protest recent attacks on ethnic minorities across Turkey. ADANA 00000005 005 OF 005 Diyarbakir - 01.13.10: Six people, including four village guards, were sentenced to life sentence in prison for killing a man almost 10 years ago over a land dispute. Kilis - 01.11.10: Ten hand grenades were found near an abandoned swimming pool. Sanliurfa - 01.12.10: Security forces detained 5 people after a firefight erupted last week in waiting line. 01.12.10: The Interior Ministry has established a Border Control Agency to include 70,000 officers from the gendarmerie, coast guard commands and the National Police Department. Sanliurfa - 01.13.10: An explosion on the BOTAS pipeline has prompted a criminal investigation. Elazig - 01.13.10: Security forces detained 7 people in an anti-organized-crime operation. Diyarbakir - 01.13.10: Security forces detained 4 people in an anti-organized-crime operation. ¶5. (U) Illegal immigrant arrests: 01.11.10 through 01.17.10: Security forces captured and deported 316 illegal immigrants from: Mugla, Canakkale, Sirnak, Edirne, Agri, Artvin, Hakkari, Aydin, and the borders of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Greece. Four Turks assisting the illegal immigrants were also detained in the operations. ¶6. (U) Counter-narcotic operations: Mardin - 01.15.10: Security forces confiscated 4 kilograms of hashish and detained 1 person. Van - 01.13.10: Security forces confiscated 63 kilograms of heroin and detained 1 person. Van - 01.11.10: Security forces seized 145 kilograms of heroin and 40 kilograms of hashish. 3 people were arrested in the operation. Diyarbakir - 01.11.10: Security forces seized 6 kilograms of hashish and 6 unregistered pistols. Van - 01.12.10: Security forces detained 28 people in an anti-organized-crime and smuggling operation. Five of them, including two police officers, were later arrested. ¶7. (U) Anti-Al-Qaeda Operation in Adana: Security forces captured 20 Al-Qaeda members in the Yuregir and Seyhan Districts of Adana. Almost 300 policemen joined in the operations and 25 separate points were stormed. The alleged head of Al-Qaeda in Turkey, Serdar Elbasa, who is also known by the codename Abu Zer, was captured in the operations. Elbasa was reportedly recruiting new members and collecting money on behalf of the organization. Three pistols, instructions for making bombs, two pairs of binoculars (including one with night-vision capability),and fake identity cards and passports were seized in the operations. DARNELL