Turkish armed forces using chemical weapons on PKK rebels?
On 19 October, 24 PKK rebels were killed by the Turkish armed forces in the Çukurca district. Human Rights Association in Hakkari is investigating allegations of chemical weapons used against PKK rebels by Turkish armed forces. Samples from the ground have been taken, alongside Human body parts that were completely burnt and scorched to investigate further.
Villagers and families of victims have expressed grave concern over the type of weapons used after seeing the bodies of PKK rebels burnt, mutilated and scorched. Photos have been uploaded and videos of the horrific body parts are now circulating on YouTube. If allegations prove to be true, this would not be the first time PKK rebels have been subject to chemical bombing.
In 2010, Kurdish activists sent numerous photos of PKK rebels that were similarly maimed, scorched and barely recognisable to German experts.
Hans Baumann, a German expert on photo forgeries has confirmed the authenticity of the photos, and a forensics report released by the Hamburg University Hospital has backed the initial suspicion, saying that it is highly probable that the eight Kurds died “due to the use of chemical substances.”
Claudia Roth, a leader of the Green Party in Germany is quoted to have said the following after German experts confirmed the use of chemical substances.
The latest findings are so spectacular that the Turkish side urgently needs to explain things,” and “It is impossible to understand why an autopsy of the PKK fighters was ordered but the results kept under seal.
On September 4, 1991, Diana Jean Schemo reported in The Sun – Baltimore similar claims by Kurdish activists about Turkish armed forces using chemical weapons against Kurdish rebels. The Turkish government did not issue an investigation, and remained largely silent despite photographs of Kurdish victims from an alleged chemical attack in June.
Years later on May 17, 1999 the Iranian news agency IRNA reported that Turkish armed forces used chemical weapons against PKK in Botan region. It is important that Human rights organisations and activists pressurise the Turkish government to reveal the details of autopsy that were ordered in 2010, and look into current claims made by Kurdish activists.
Warning: Video below is graphic, it shows some of the bodies of PKK rebels at the Morgue being photographed that were killed last month.
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Some other sources on this include
Kurdistan Tribune: ‘Turkeys Horrific chemical attack on PKK fighters, this cannot lead to peace.
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The CWC directly prohibits the use of chemical weapons in war. This proves that tyrants completely neglect international law and moral consideration in their persistence to eliminate a potential threat. Thanks for the article.