Peace Research Expert Dr Azad Dêwanî: Turkey is trying to cover up its war crimes

Despite Turkey’s claims that HPG (People’s Defense Units) murdered the prisoners of Turkey during Turkey’s offensive in Garê, HPG’s published video reveals that the detainees lost their lives by a group of soldiers who belongs to the Turkish Army.

Dr Azad Dêwanî, a London based expert in peace studies research speaks to ANHA News about Turkey’s offensive against the Garê mountains and the killing of 13 prisoners during the bombardments by Turkey.

‘They were not civilians’

Speaking about how the military operation was being framed by the Turkish government and media as ‘PKK murders civilians’ Azad Dêwanî commented, “Firstly, all of these prisoners are either police officers and special forces fighting the Kurds on behalf of the Turkish state. Secondly, I seem to recall they were captured during a military operation of Turkey to kill PKK commanders”

He adds that the people who died were Turkish agents who went there to collect information about the PKK.

“They were in the region for a mission and Turkey was also there to occupy Iraqi Kurdistan and kill its people during the operation,” he said.

‘Turkey tries to cover up its war crimes by fabricating stories’

Dr Dêwanî also points out that Turkey aims to come up with fake and deliberately fabricated stories to blame the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK).

“Turkey’s aim is to gain sympathy and support from the international community and condemn the Kurdistan Freedom Movement in the person of the PKK.” He said.

“If the international community wishes to research this issue, the door is wide open for an international research commission.” He stated and added that Turkey would not be pleased or allow such an investigation.

“An independent investigative committee will not be in the interests of the Turkish state because the committee will uncover war crimes committed by the Turkish military and Turkish security forces. If the United Nations and Western states want to investigate the killing of these Turkish prisoners of war, I don’t believe there should be an obstacle for this and such a committee should be given free access to the site on Gare Mountain.”