Protests continued last night in Batman against the removal of the city's democratically elected co-mayors by the Turkish Ministry of the Interior. In several neighborhoods, young activists took to the streets shouting ‘Jin Jiyan Azadî’, ‘Bijî Serok Apo’ and ‘PKK is the people, the people are here’. Police attacked the demonstrators with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons. The young people responded by setting up burning barricades on the streets and throwing stones and fireworks. The clashes continued late into the night.

One activist told MA: “Instead of the people's elected co-mayors, an official is being installed in the town hall. We do not accept this, we are fighting against it and will continue to resist on the streets. If elections are held and the elected person is then replaced by a trustee, we cannot remain silent. The Kurdish people must resist.”