By Hasan Namli
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AA) – A long-running sit-in by families in southeastern Turkey whose children were kidnapped by terrorists entered its 371st day on Monday.
The protest began last September in the city of Diyarbakir, when three mothers said their children had been forcibly recruited by YPG/PKK terrorists.
The demonstration outside the office of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) – which the government accuses of having links to the terror group YPG/PKK – has been growing every day.
The grieving families have vowed to continue the sit-in until every family is reunited with their children.
Solmaz Ogrunc, one of the protesting mothers, said her son was kidnapped by the terror group in the eastern Van province five years ago when he was only 15.
“Enough is enough. All the mothers and fathers shed tears here,” Ogrunc said, calling her son Baran to surrender to security forces.
Gulbahar Kadran, who reunited with her nephew Halil Ibrahim Kadran on Jan. 10, said that she continues protesting to support other mothers.
“We will continue our protest until the last child returns. People should become aware. As a mother and citizen, we have to stop this,” Kadran said.
Offenders in Turkey linked to terrorist groups who surrender are eligible for possible sentence reductions under a repentance law.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is PKK's Syrian offshoot.
* Writing by Gozde Bayar
