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The Turkish army is conducting mass scale military exercises in the district
of Cizre Shirnak, North Kurdistan (southeast Turkey). During the exercise,
tens of tanks from the Tank Battalion aimed at a target made from the
colours of the Kurdish flag as well as an actual Kurdish flag, which is
officially used in South Kurdistan.
Many of the NGOs and political parties in the area described this as
encouraging the people to hatred and hostility, continuing the phobia of
the governments on Kurdish colours, and still not accepting the existence
of Kurdish people.
The lorry drivers who were passing through the area condemned the incident;
they reckon the military exercise and the use of the Kurdish official flag
as a target practice, is to intimidate Kurds in the region.
Pro-Kurdish party DTP (Democratic Society Party) Shirnak Party Leader Izzet
Belge made a statement on the issue and pointed out the incident, in which
the Turkish military is aiming at the Kurdish colours and the Kurdish flag
during the military exercise. Belge said, Instead of helping the
brotherhood of the people, this exercise is encouraging divisions in the
country and he considered this as provocation
In addition, labour union DISK condemned the incident and stated it was a
provocation to sabotage the cease-fire, which has been declared by the PKK.
Director of the Mem u Zin cultural centre Fecriye Benek also condemned the
incident and said, This incident is not acceptable at a time of increasing
peace, demands for the conflict to end, and the approach of the government
is to annihilate and refusal to recognise Kurdish people.
She also said, It is apparent from this incident who is worried and scared
of peace.