Two killed in curfew protests in Turkey’s southeast

DİYARBAKIR – Doğan News Agency

AFP photo

Two people were killed and another two were wounded on Dec. 14 during clashes between security forces and protesters in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır that erupted after police refused to permit a march to protest an ongoing curfew.

Police forces are continuing to determine the identities of the two who were killed in the Kaynartepe neighborhood of Bağlar district, Doğan News Agency reported.

According to local reports, however, the dead were identified as 18-year-old Şiyar Selman and 21-year-old Şerbil Cengiz. Engin Kayar and Şaban Parlamış, meanwhile, were identified as the youth that were injured in the clashes. 

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) announced a march at 12 p.m. to protest a continuing curfew in Sur district. However, the Diyarbakır Governor’s Office stated that the march was unlawful, urging citizens to disregard the calls.

In response, police forces dispersed some groups who attempted to block roads with barricades ahead of the march by firing into the air, using tear gas and pressurized water.