Sit-in protests against PKK in Turkey continues amid Eid al-Adha holiday

By Ahmet Kaplan

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AA) - Families in southeastern Turkey whose children were kidnapped by the PKK terror group continued to protests during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

They have been protesting for 690 straight days since Sept. 3, 2019, encouraging their children to give up their weapons and surrender to Turkish authorities.

Protests outside the office of the opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) in Diyarbakir started with three mothers who said their children were forcibly recruited by terrorists.

The Turkish government accuses the HDP of having links to the PKK terror organization.

Sariye Tokay said she has been separated from her son, Mehmet, for 20 holidays.

"We will not leave the front of the HDP provincial building ... let them know that," Tokay said and urged her Mehmet "come, surrender to the state."

Nurettin Odumlu said her son, Yusuf, was kidnapped by the terror group at the age of 16.

"I have not seen my child for 16 holidays, I have not heard his voice. We want our children from HDP. If my child had come this holiday, the world would be mine," said Odumlu.

The holiday which lasts several days commemorates the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim, or Abraham, to sacrifice his son at God's command before the last-minute divine substitute of a ram.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terror organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.