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