Turkish troops and police attacked thousands of people who had gathered in front of the DBP branch building in Suruç with tear gas yesterday. After the attack clashes continued between people and troops and police in the back streets. Meanwhile, 2 members of a YXK delegation making observations at the border were arrested and contact was lost with two others.

Following the attack by troops and police on protesters supporting the Kobanê resistance in the village of Etmanik, the protesters went to the Suruç district centre and gathered in front of the DBP's district office. Police and troops then attacked the people there with tear gas. The people responded by pelting the police with stones, petrol bombs and fireworks, shouting slogans such as “Long live President Apo” and “Long live the Kobanê resistance”.

Police armoured vehicles drove up to the door of the BDP Suruç district office and fired gas canisters into the building. The police also attacked shopkeepers in the street and fired gas canisters at random.

Meanwhile, two members of a delegation from the YXK (Union of Students from Kurdistan) in the area to carry out investigations were arrested. The YXK said they had also lost touch with 2 other members of the delegation. Thomas Marburger and Semiye Kocatepe were arrested and Janick Kris and a person by the name of Mücahit Aslan are unaccounted for.

The YXK delegation said they would make representations in order to secure the release of those arrested and to make contact with the missing members of the delegation.