Turkish authorities lifted a punishing curfew today in the flashpoint southeastern town of Silvan, where Kurdish activists and security forces had clashed.
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According to a statement issued by the Turkish General Staff, the militants were fleeing from northern Iraq when they surrendered to security forces in Sirnak’s Silopi district.
The incident occurred close to a military border outpost near the town of Oguzeli, in Gaziantep province – a few 700 kilometers east of the Mediterranean coastal resort where U.S. President Barack Obama and other leaders of the world’s top 20 economies will meet Sunday and Monday.
Turkish security forces backed up by tanks and combat helicopters launched a large-scale operation 12 days ago that ended in recent days to retake control of areas of the town occupied by members of the youth wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
The PKK, considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the USA and the European Union, renewed its armed campaign against the Turkish state this summer.
The terror attacks in Paris and the war in Syria are expected to loom large at the G-20 gathering in Turkey.
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The PKK said the ruling Justice and Development Party – which won back its parliamentary majority on November 1 – was itching for a fight with the Kurdish militant group.
