Kurds revolt

last updated 8 January 2015

Kiziltepe, Turkey

At least 15 people died and hundreds were injured in a week of clashes between ethnic Kurds and police in southeastern Turkey. The riots, the worst in at least two years, began last week in the town of Kiziltepe, at the funerals of 14 Kurdish militants. Police used tear gas and water cannons on demonstrators, who threw rocks and firebombs. “Our government will decisively continue its struggle against terror,” said Justice Minister Cemil Cicek. “I thank our security forces for acting coolly, patriotically, and within the law.” Kurdish politicians, though, said the violence could have been averted had the government heeded their call for talks. The militant Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, has been fighting for independence from the Turkish government off and on for 20 years.