DIYARBAKIR, Türkiye
Another family was reunited with their child on Thursday, who had been kidnapped by the PKK terror group in southeastern Türkiye, according to security sources.
Mother Gulperi Akdas and father Esat Akdas, who joined the anti-PKK protests as the 292nd family, were finally reunited with their son Mehmet Akdas.
Mehmet Akdas willingly surrendered to the Turkish security forces following persuasion efforts.
The Akdas couple, who were joyfully reunited with their son after an 8-year separation, expressed their heartfelt gratitude towards the Turkish security forces.
Since Sept. 3, 2019, protesting families, whose number has reached 303 with the latest additions, have camped for over 1,000 days outside the Diyarbakir offices of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), a political party the Turkish government said has links to the PKK.
Demonstrations have since spread to other eastern provinces of Türkiye, including Van, Mus, Sirnak, and Hakkari.
In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and the EU — has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.
