Commanders, BDP deputies join in folk dance in Turkey

SİİRT - Doğan News Agency

DHA Photo

Siirt Mayor Melih Oktay of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), who was recently released by a court after being investigated as part of the outlawed Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) case, Siirt Governor Ahmet Aydın and 3rd Commando Unit Commander Gen. Mehmet Şürkrü Eken danced the halay (a traditional folk dance) during their visit in the Eruh district.

The governor was accompanied by high-ranking army officials throughout his visit to inspect the district’s conditions and visit Oktay. He held short conversations with local businesses and residents and gave away gifts to the district’s children.

He then moved on to a local conference hall, where he was greeted by a performance group playing traditional instruments and dancing. The governor, mayor, commanders and several BDP deputies all broke into the halay together.

The dance was interpreted by media sources as a reflection of the image of the ongoing peace process.
The outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) launched its first armed attack in Eruh and in Hakkari’s Şemdinli in 1984.