VZCZCXRO1629
RR RUEHDA
DE RUEHDA #0062/01 2890754
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 160754Z OCT 09
FM AMCONSUL ADANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4777
INFO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 1319
RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 1089
RUEHDA/AMCONSUL ADANA 1386
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ADANA 000062
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, INR AND NEA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PTER PINR CASC TU
SUBJECT: SE TURKEY SECURITY INCIDENTS: OCTOBER 05 - OCTOBER 12, 2009
1. The following security incidents for the period of October 05
- October 12, 2009 were compiled from RSO sources by the
Security Assistant at Consulate Adana, to include Turkish
security contacts, government officials and media reports.
Similar reports have previously been shared informally by
e-mail. Post is now sending this information in cable format to
ensure wider and more regular distribution. The RSO uses the
information to determine the security situation and trends of
violence and crime throughout Turkey. The RSO also tracks the
information by location and shares the information with the
Country Team and Visas Viper coordinator.
2. Military operations against the Kurdistan Workers' Party
(PKK) as reported by the Turkish General Staff:
A. Weapons, ammunition, and equipment seized:
Year to date: Security forces seized or safely detonated 179
kilograms of TNT, 84 kilograms of plastic explosive materials,
2100 kilograms of ammonium/potassium nitrate, 45 landmines, and
73 units of unknown explosive material.
Hakkari - 10.11.09: Various logistical equipment, food, and an
explosive made from 1 kilogram of C-4.
Sirnak - 10.09.09: 300 rounds of BKC machine gun ammunition.
Sirnak - 10.09.09: 1 hand grenade was found and destroyed on
site.
Sirnak - 10.06.09: 20 rounds of RPG-7 rocket launcher
ammunition, 40 hand grenades, 1500 rounds of Kalashnikov
infantry rifle ammunition (7.62 mm), and 840 rounds of BKC
machine gun ammunition.
Sirnak - 10.02.09: Security forces safely detonated an explosive
device made of 10 kilograms of ammonium nitrate and 300 grams of
plastic explosives.
Sirnak - 10.02.09: Security forces found a round of RPG-7 rocket
launcher ammunition.
Agri - 10.02.09: Security forces seized 131 rounds of
Kalashnikov infantry rifle ammunition, 151 rounds of Biksi
machine gun ammunition and 64 rounds of Kannas rifle ammunition.
Mardin - 10.02.09: Security forces seized 3 rounds of mortar
ammunition.
B. PKK members captured or surrendered:
10.06.09 through 10.12.09: Security forces neutralized 5 total
PKK members. 2 were captured dead, 1 alive and 2 surrendered.
Bitlis - 10.09.09: 1 PKK member surrendered.
Bingol - 10.08.09: Security forces found 2 corpses of PKK
members who were killed in a clash.
Mardin - 10.06.09: 1 PKK member surrendered.
Tunceli - 10.06.09: Security forces captured 1 PKK member.
C. PKK attacks:
Year to date: PKK members carried out 60 incidents using
explosive materials.
Hakkari - 10.11.09: An explosive device blasted near a military
convoy. There was no loss of life or property in the incident.
Sirnak - 10.11.09: PKK members attacked a military patrol team;
no injury reported.
Tunceli - 10.09.09: 2 troops were wounded in a hand grenade
explosion.
Diyarbakir - 10.07.09: PKK stormed a worksite of a dam
construction company setting 2 heavy construction machines and a
truck on fire.
Tunceli - 10.06.09: 1 soldier was killed and 1 wounded in a
clash with PKK.
Hakkari - 10.05.09: PKK members attacked security forces with
long-range rifles. There was no loss of life.
Sirnak - 10.4.09: 1 village guard and 1 civilian were killed in
an explosive material blast.
ADANA 00000062 002 OF 005
Bitlis - 10.03.09: 2 troops were wounded by a booby trapped
explosive.
Sirnak - 10.01.09: PKK members killed a soldier in a clash.
3. Media reports on Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and
pro-Kurdish organizations
A. Anti-PKK operations:
TAF's anti-PKK operations and deployments continue in
Diyarbakir, Siirt, Sirnak, Hakkari, Bitlis, Tunceli and Bingol
Provinces.
B. Arrests:
Sirnak 10.12.09: 1 child was arrested on the charge of "making
propaganda for the terror organization PKK."
Sirnak - 10.12.09: DTP's Silopi District administrator Nusret
Yildirim was arrested on the charge of violating restrictions on
marches and demonstrations.
Hakkari - 10.11.09: 1 child was arrested on the charge of
"making propaganda for the terror organization PKK."
Hakkari - 10.11.09: 3 people, who joined in illegal street
demonstrations on October 9, were arrested on the charges of
"making propaganda for the terror organization PKK," and
"resisting a police officer."
Diyarbakir - 10.11.09: DTP Kayapinar District Administrator
Sevval Karakas and 2 DTP council members were arrested on the
charge of "making propaganda for the terror organization PKK."
Adana - 10.10.09: 1 person, who joined in pro-Kurdish illegal
activities on October 8, was arrested on the charge of "making
propaganda for the terror organization PKK."
Sanliurfa - 10.10.09: 59 students from Harran University are on
trial on the charge of "making propaganda for the terror
organization PKK."
Van - 10.10.09: 2 people were arrested on the charges of
"causing damage to public property" and "threatening the
public."
Diyarbakir - 10.10.09: Security forces caught 7 people who were
in preparations to carry out actions on behalf of the terror
organization PKK. The suspects later were arrested.
Van - 10.10.09: Security forces caught 7 people who were
supplying logistical equipment and food to PKK. Five suspects
were later arrested on the charge of "assisting and harboring
the terror organization PKK."
Sirnak - 10.09.09: Security forces detained 10 people who joined
in illegal street clashes. Four of 10 people later were arrested
on charges of "making propaganda for the terror organization
PKK," and "causing damage to public property."
Adana - 10.08.09: Security forces detained 3 employees of the
pro-Kurdish Azadiya Welat newspaper on the suspicion of
terrorism.
Mardin - 10.08.09: 2 children (ages 17), who were detained after
the illegal street demonstrations held in October 17, were
sentenced to a year in prison on the charge of "making
propaganda for the terror organization PKK."
Van - 10.08.09: Security forces detained 3 people in Ercis
District on the suspicion of terrorism.
Sirnak - 10.08.09: Security forces detained a person in Cizre
District on the suspicion of terrorism.
Hakkari - 10.07.09: Security forces are on high alert and
conducting many operations to apprehend terrorists. 3 people,
including a police officer, were killed when a group of
terrorists opened fire with long-range rifles at a civilian
vehicle.
Agri - 10.07.09: 18 of 19 people, including DTP Agri Provincial
Chairman, who were arrested for "making propaganda for the
terror organization PKK," were released by the court decision.
Sirnak - 10.07.09: A school principal and a shopkeeper were
detained and will face trial because an "expert" said the
silhouette of Turkey's founder Ataturk on the school tie really
depicted the jailed leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers'
ADANA 00000062 003 OF 005
Party, Abdullah Ocalan.
Hakkari - 10.07.09: Anti-terror teams detained 3 people on the
suspicion of terrorism.
Van - 10.07.09: Security forces detained 7 people, who were in
preparations to take food to the mountain staff of the terror
organization PKK.
Batman - 10.07.09: Security forces detained 2 people on
suspicion of terrorism links.
Agri - 10.07.09: Security forces detained 3 people on suspicion
of terrorism links
Tunceli - 10.06.09: Security forces detained pro-Kurdish Gunluk
Newspaper's employee. The person was later released.
Hakkari - 10.06.09: Anti-terror teams detained 4 people on
suspicion of terrorism links.
Sirnak - 10.06.09: Anti-terror teams detained 15 people on
suspicion of terrorism links.
Adana - 10.05.09: A person was arrested for making "propaganda
for the terror organization PKK."
C. Other media stories about PKK:
10.09.09 through 10.11.09: PKK supporters mark the 10th
anniversary of jailed terrorist leader Abdullah Ocalan's
expulsion from Syria, holding demonstrations in the southern
provinces of Mersin, Adana, Hakkari, Sirnak, Mardin, Siirt, Van,
Diyarbakir and elsewhere. Demonstrators clashed with police in
many areas, and some were detained. A police officer in
Diyarbakir was wounded during the demonstrations there.
Sirnak - 10.12.09: Many people gathered to protest the 10 days
of cell punishment which was given to Ocalan. Demonstrators
chanted slogans in favor of PKK and Ocalan.
Mersin - 10.11.09: PKK supporters gathered in Sevket Sumer
Parish for an illegal street demonstration. Security forces
intervened with sticks, tear gas bombs and pressurized water and
PKK supporters responded with stones, Molotov cocktails and
fireworks.
Iraq Border - 10.10.09: Iraqi Kurds have expressed concern over
a motion passed in the Turkish Parliament this week to extend by
one year a mandate to conduct cross-border operations in
northern Iraq to eliminate the terrorist Kurdistan Workers'
Party (PKK) bases there.
Bingol - 10.10.09: During excavation process to find a grave of
a PKK member who was killed in a clash almost 12 years ago,
security forces found mass graveyards.
Diyarbakir - 10.10.09: Approximately 3000 people gathered to
support Ocalan's road map. The demonstration turned into a clash
when a group of people attacked the AK Party's building and
security forces with stones. Police intervened with sticks, tear
gas bombs and pressurized water and demonstrators responded with
Molotov cocktail, stones and fireworks. The clashes spread to
many parishes of Diyarbakir.
Batman - 10.09.09: Security forces clashed with PKK
sympathizers, opening fire in the air with plastic bullets and
intervening at demonstrators with sticks, pressurized water and
tear gas bombs. PKK supporters responded with stones and Molotov
cocktails. 5 people were detained.
Mardin - 10.09.09: Security forces intervened at PKK supporters
that were holding an illegal street demonstration in Derik
District.
Mersin - 10.06.09: Almost 60 PKK supporters gathered in Tarsus
District and chanted illegal slogans in favor of PKK and Ocalan.
Security forces intervened at demonstrators who wanted to block
the Adana-Mersin Highway (D-400) temporarily to traffic. Police
intervened with tear gas bombs, sticks and pressured water and
PKK supporters responded with stones and Molotov cocktails.
Hakkari - 10.05.09: PKK members attacked a vehicle with
long-range rifles killing 3 people including a police officer.
4. Media reports on significant crime or security incidents:
Diyarbakir - 10.12.09: The-Sub-Governor's officer in the Ergani
District of Diyarbakir was attacked by unidentified people with
Molotov cocktails. There was no loss of life or property in the
ADANA 00000062 004 OF 005
incident.
Adana - 10.12.09: 4 vehicles were set on fire by unidentified
people with flammable materials in Mitatpasa and Guzelevler
(north) Parishes of Adana.
Diyarbakir - 10.12.09: Controversy surrounds the death of a
Diyarbakir girl who died while grazing her sheep, reportedly
killed by rounds fired from an unknown location overlooking the
village of Senlik, sparking anti-government protests throughout
the region.
Mersin - 10.10.09: A vehicle was set on fire by unidentified
people in the Anamur District.
Sirnak - 10.11.09: Security forces detained 2 people on the
suspicion of terrorism.
Hakkari - 10.10.09: The military branch in the Yuksekova
District of Hakkari was attacked by unidentified people with
hand grenades. There was no loss of life or property in the
incident.
Tunceli - 10.10.09: Almost 20,000 people held a peaceful
anti-government demonstration to protest the ongoing dam
construction.
Adana - 10.09.09: Unidentified people attempted to set 6
vehicles on fire, which were parked at parking lots of an
apartment in Barajyolu Parish (North of Adana).
Zap - 10.07.09: A pro-Kurdish news channel reports that the
Seve, Petrot, and Kinayis areas of the Zap Region were bombed by
Turkish artillery teams for 3 hours.
Sanliurfa - 10.07.09: Unidentified people attacked a branch of a
bank with bomb.
Sanliurfa - 10.06.09: Unidentified people set on fire a civilian
vehicle in Siverek District.
Mersin - 10.06.09: Unidentified people set fire to 6 vehicles in
Toroslar and Cumhuriyet Parishes of Yenisehir District.
Malatya - 10.05.09: A heavy construction machine belonging to a
private company was set on fire by unidentified people.
5. Illegal migrant arrests:
10.02.09 Through10.05.09: Security forces captured and deported
523 illegal migrants from the following regions: Iranian Border,
Agri, Syrian Border, Greek Border, Bitlis, Erzurum, Izmir,
Mugla, Sirnak, Van, Balikesir, Canakkale, Kilis, Hakkari and
Edirne.
10.07.09 through10.11.09: Security forces captured and deported
502 illegal migrants from the following regions: Aegean Coast,
Greek Border, Iraqi Border, Iranian Border, Adana, Aydin, Mugla,
Igdir, Van, Edirne, Hatay, Hakkari, Canakkale, Sirnak,
Gaziantep, Artvin, Agri, Elazig Syrian Border. 7 Turks, who
were assisting them, were also detained in the operations.
6. Anti-crime operations:
Diyarbakir - 10.12.09: The Diyarbakir Police Department's
anti-smuggling and organized crime unit has conducted raids in
nine provinces as part of an investigation into several
Democratic Society Party (DTP)-run municipalities, related
institutions and Diyar Inc., an institution established by the
Diyarbakir Metropolitan Municipality. Security forces detained
35 DTP members in the recent anti-fraud operations, 11 of whom
were later arrested.
Sanliurfa - 10.09.09: Security forces seized 200 rounds of
Kalashnikov rifle ammunition at a road check point and detained
one person.
7. Counter-narcotic operations:
Kilis - 10.12.09: Security forces seized 600 units of drug pills
and detained a person.
Van - 10.12.09: Security forces seized 21 kilograms of hashish
and detained one person.
Hatay - 10.12.09: Security forces seized 12 kilograms of hashish
and detained 2 people who were later arrested.
Erzurum - 10.10.09: Security forces detained 12 people in an
anti-narcotic operation, 7 of whom were later arrested.
ADANA 00000062 005 OF 005
Bingol - 10.09.09: Security forces seized 5 kilograms of hashish
and detained 3 people, 2 of whom were later arrested.
Sanliurfa - 10.07.09: Security forces seized 105 kilograms of
hashish and detained 3 people.
Van - 10.07.09: Security forces seized 39 kilograms of hashish
and detained 1 person.
Bingol - 10.06.09: Security forces seized 567 kilograms of
hashish, 135 seeds of Indian hemp, 45 kilograms of heroin, 12
tons of smuggled tea, and 150 boxes of smuggled cigarettes in
the first 9 months of 2009. Security forces detained 931 people
in the operations.
Diyarbakir - 10.06.09: Security forces seized 316 kilograms of
hashish in 15 separate operations conducted against street
vendors.
Malatya - 10.06.09: Security forces seized 7,250 drug pills.
Elazig - 10.06.09: Security forces seized 5 kilograms of hashish
and arrested 1 person.
Van - 10.06.09: Security forces seized 45 kilograms of hashish
and arrested 1 person.
Van - 10.05.09: Security forces seized 37 kilograms of hashish
and detrained 1 person.
Diyarbakir - 10.05.09: Security forces seized 28 kilograms of
hashish.
DARNELL