Five detained in connection with deadly Diyarbakir family feud
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkish security forces on Friday detained five people in connection with a deadly land dispute between two families in the Kurdish province of Diyarbakir (Amed in Kurdish).
Nine people were killed and two others were injured on Thursday after a dispute between two Kurdish families, who are reportedly relatives, over 200 acres of agricultural land turned violent. The land is officially the property of the Turkish government’s treasury.
Arrest warrants were issued for 18 people, including the two injured. Security forces on Friday detained five of the wanted and they continue to seek out the rest, reported Demiroren News Agency.
Footage of dead bodies and their crying relatives went viral on social media, with many Kurds calling for an end to such deadly feuds.
The incident happened after one family set fire to a crop growing in the field and opened fire on the second family that tried to extinguish the flames.
“Efforts are underway to apprehend a vehicle and its passengers that are believed to have been involved in the incident. The weapons used in the incident were seized, and wide-ranging security measures were taken by our security forces from land and air,” read a statement from the governor’s office on Thursday.
Three prosecutors have been appointed to investigate the deadly incident, according to state-owned Anadolu Agency.
Family feuds are common in southeast Turkey, especially in rural areas, which are more conservative. One of the deadliest feuds took place during a wedding in 2009 in Bilge village in the Kurdish-majority Mardin province. At least 44 people were killed, including the bride and groom.
Nine people were killed and two others were injured on Thursday after a dispute between two Kurdish families, who are reportedly relatives, over 200 acres of agricultural land turned violent. The land is officially the property of the Turkish government’s treasury.
Arrest warrants were issued for 18 people, including the two injured. Security forces on Friday detained five of the wanted and they continue to seek out the rest, reported Demiroren News Agency.
Footage of dead bodies and their crying relatives went viral on social media, with many Kurds calling for an end to such deadly feuds.
The incident happened after one family set fire to a crop growing in the field and opened fire on the second family that tried to extinguish the flames.
“Efforts are underway to apprehend a vehicle and its passengers that are believed to have been involved in the incident. The weapons used in the incident were seized, and wide-ranging security measures were taken by our security forces from land and air,” read a statement from the governor’s office on Thursday.
Three prosecutors have been appointed to investigate the deadly incident, according to state-owned Anadolu Agency.
Family feuds are common in southeast Turkey, especially in rural areas, which are more conservative. One of the deadliest feuds took place during a wedding in 2009 in Bilge village in the Kurdish-majority Mardin province. At least 44 people were killed, including the bride and groom.