Turkey Begins Arresting Critics of Syria Invasion

Turkish authorities have initiated an investigation against the pro-Kurdish party and have arrested 21 individuals for criticizing the invasion of Syria, as reported by Reuters, referencing Turkish media.

While most opposition parties in Turkey have expressed support for the operation, the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has called for an end to the offensive, stating that it is an "attempt at invasion." HDP co-chair Sezai Temelli noted that the operation is a move by the Turkish government to mobilize support against a backdrop of declining public approval.

Turkish officials have begun detaining those who criticized the invasion. Prosecutors have launched an investigation against Temelli and the other co-chair of the HDP, Pervin Buldan, over their comments regarding the operation in Syria. Temelli and Buldan are accused of "propaganda for a terrorist organization" and "openly insulting the Turkish government." Other three HDP lawmakers are under investigation on similar charges.

Just hours after the invasion of Syria commenced, Turkish authorities also initiated investigations against 78 individuals who criticized the attack on social media. On Thursday, 21 people were arrested in the southern province of Mardin for their posts on social networks.

They have been accused of "provoking public hatred and enmity" and of "conducting propaganda for terrorist organizations." More than 300 people have been detained for posts criticizing Turkey's offensive in northern Syria since January 2018.