Thirty five nongovernmental organizations have started a 24-hour "peace vigil" against the increasing military operations in the area.

Spokesperson for the 35 NGOs, Health Workers Trade Union (SES) Mardin Branch Chair, Hamid Kasap said that Turkey's most important issue on the agenda is the Kurdish issue and that the environment of violence is growing. "The people are demanding an identity, education in their mother tongue, basic rights and freedom. However," Kasap said, "the government is responding with violence, which is making us anxious. There is a need for a bi-lateral ceasefire and the raids, violence and arrests must cease in order for peaceful procedures to be followed."