Kurdish Minority - Turkey: Silopi & Cizre

ꕤ Article SOURCE http://www.trust.org/item/20151225123010-d3ncy Silopi =  district of Şırnak Province =  Turkey's south-eastern Anatolia Region =  close to borders of Iraq & Syria ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Article (Reuters) Turkey 2-year ceasefire between: Ankara &  Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fell apart July 2015 --> Kurdish south-east = military target. In 3 decades of conflict between Turkey & PKK Kurdish minority --> over 40,000 people have been killed. Cizre in Turkey (near Syria border) --> 1,000s Turkish troops deployed, tanks, helicopters --> govt. shelling randomly Turkey Cizre & Silopi 30 km (19m) away near Iraqi border =  intense fighting since 24/7 curfew declared both towns mid Dec. Turkish state media says: 68 PKK militants killed in ops. Pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) say 38 civilians killed. Silopi Turkey civilians are without electricity & sheltering in basements of houses / under Turkish troops assault. Turkey vs. PKK conflict is urban: PKK youth wing --> set up barricades & dug trenches to keep out Turkish forces. PKK  leader:   Abdullah Ocalan (in prison) / designated 'terrorist' group by: Turkey US EU http://www.trust.org/item/20151225123010-d3ncy PHOTOGRAPHS Silope (Kurdish region) Turkey Under 24/7 Curfew Turkish Troops & Heavy Shelling Civilians [ Click to Enlarge ] [ Click to Enlarge ] [ Click to Enlarge ]   [ Click to Enlarge ]   [ Click to Enlarge ] 40-year old, mother of seven Shot in neck by Turkish authorities [ Click to Enlarge ] ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- COMMENT Must try to keep an eye on this. It caught my attention recently and then I sort of forgot about it. European Union wants Turkey and Turkey wants to join the EU, I understand. But look at the way Turkey treats its Kurdish minority:  troops are shelling indiscriminately & shelling civilians. ꕤ