The Turkish army has launched a military operation in Van province in northern Kurdistan. The area of operation includes rural regions surrounding the settlements of Kırgeçit, Bükeç and Dikbıyık in the Gürpınar district.

On Saturday night, a military column of about thirty vehicles entered Gürpınar. It is still unclear whether the Turkish Air Force is also involved. In several places, soldiers were airdropped into the area of operation by helicopter. Special forces and village guards have set up roadblocks along all access routes.

No information is yet available on whether there have been clashes between the military and the Kurdish guerrillas. The People's Defense Forces (HPG) have not yet commented on the Turkish military activities in Van yet.