Chemical weapons,which have been used in several massacres in late history, were according to some sources reportedly used in the recent Garê operation in Iraqi Kurdistan by Turkish armed forces. International organisations have been silent in the matter despite the fact that the allegations raise serious questions about the possible use of banned weapons.
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) Executive Committee member Murat Karayılan has demanded that an independent committee examines the site in the region where the attack reportedly took place. It is not the first time that the Turkish army has reportedly used chemical weapons against guerrilla forces in the region.
Since the moment that the PKK launched its armed struggle in 1984, Turkey has increased the amount of chemical weapons it has in its inventory and reportedly – according to some sources – used them. The first document relates to a Turkish Army Forces (TSK) General Staff Ground Forces Command instruction regarding the use of chemical warfare that was dated 25 February 1986. The document was signed by general Necdet Öztorun. That document was also put on the agenda for discussion by German public opinion. However, it remained inconclusive. Meanwhile, Turkey has not hidden the fact that it has kept chemical weapons in its military inventory.
MKEK produced CS bombs
In 2004, it was revealed in a documentary that the Turkish army’s anti-Terror Unit used chemical weapons. This is despite the fact that the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) clearly bans the use of gas in military operations. Bradford University in the United Kingdom reported in 2010 that Turkey’s Machine and Chemistry Industry Organisation (MKEK) had produced CS bombs and sold it in international markets.
It has also been reported that footage, which pointed to Turkey’s use of chemical weapons against PKK guerrillas, was taped in 1999. The Turkish army also reportedly murdered 20 Peoples Liberation Army of Kurdistan (ARGK) guerrillas in a cave located in Ballıkaya village of Şırnak on 11 March 1999. “Our soldiers are facing danger of being poisoned now. But still they are entering heroically and bravely … Though we gave a break of one day, the gas still preserves its effect”, soldiers are heard saying in footage that was taken by the Turkish army and later broadcast on Roj TV.
Evidence of chemical weapons
That massacre carried out in Ballıkaya was placed on the German Federal Parliamentary agenda by PDS in 1999 and by the Left Party in 2011. An examination conducted by a Münich University Forensic Medicine team found chemical residues on parts of bombs that were examined.
It was revealed in the Kennzeichen-D programme on ZDF channel that the RP707 type bomb, produced by German company Buck & Depyfag, was sold to Turkey in 1995.
During a clash that occurred in 2011 in Çele in Kazan Valley in Turkey, 36 HPG guerrillas lost their lives. Documents and evidence covered in the press at that time had reportedly suggested that Turkey had used chemical weapons.
Turkey’s crimes
During a clash that occurred between the Turkish army and the People’s Defense Forces (HPG) in Hakkari (Colemerg) in Turkey in 2009, eight guerrillas were reported to have been killed in a cave through chemical weapon usage. A committee from Germany had visited the site of the reported attack and taken photos of the mortal remains of the guerrillas.
Moreover, during a clash that occurred in 2011 in Çele locality in Kazan Valley, 36 HPG guerrillas lost their lives.
Documents and evidence was covered by press outlets at that time that led them to conclude that Turkey used chemical weapons.
