Clashes ongoing in Sur: Many police and soldiers killed
DİYARBAKIR (DİHA) - A number of police and soldiers have reportedly been killed in Amed's (Diyarbakır) central Sur district where a state of siege remains in effect for the 40th day.
The district witnessed severest clashes of the curfew as Civil Defense Units (Yekîneyên Parastina Sivîl, YPS) responded to the intensified attacks by Turkish state forces. A number of casualties have been reported on the side of state forces as a result of clashes at various locations in the district throughout the day.
Clashes have mainly intensified around Kurşunlu Mosque since very early hours of the morning till evening hours. According to reports by Turkish officials, 1 policeman and 1 specialized sergeant were killed while 14 police and soldiers were wounded in the fighting on Yıkıkkaya Street at around 14:00 today afternoon.
Local sources in Sur, however, report that the casualties suffered by Turkish forces is much more. Accordingly, 11 special operation police were killed and many others were wounded in the fighting around Kurşunlu Mosque. Bodies of some policemen reportedly remain at the scene of clashes.
One other location where clashes between YPS units and state forces have intensified today is the vicinity of Süleyman Nafiz Primary School. YPS units strongly responded to Turkish units that attempted to enter the neighborhood from several points. Six members of security forces were reportedly killed in clashes here.
Savaş neighborhood also witnessed heavy clashes between YPS members and state forces around Yogurt Bazaaar. Turkish forces have reportedly suffered casualties but the exact number couldn't be verified. Fighting in this area lasted all day long.
Three members of YPS got wounded during the day-long clashes.
Neighborhoods where clashes took place were also targeted by tanks and artillery fire all day long.
On the other hand, more caterpillar tanks, which are used in the shelling and demolition of houses, have been dispatched to Sur today.
(nt)
