Turkey: Authorities arrest 311 people over military criticism as of Jan. 29

Event

Turkish authorities have arrested hundreds of people in recent days for criticizing the military offensive Turkey launched on positions held by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria's northern Afrin province earlier this month. On Monday, January 29, the Turkish Ministry of Interior announced that it had arrested 311 people - including politicians, journalists, and activists - for "spreading terrorist propaganda" since launching Operation Olive Branch on Saturday, January 20; among those affected by the crackdown include 208 people against whom Turkish police have initiated legal action after scrutinizing their social media accounts. Additional arrests of political dissenters are possible in Turkey in the coming days.

Context

The Turkish cross-border campaign, termed Operation Olive Branch, officially began on January 20 to target the YPG - deemed by Ankara as a terrorist organization and ally of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - in Kurdish-controlled northern Syria. President Erdogan has warned Turkish citizens that any public opposition to the military operation would be severely punished.

International organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have warned of increasing restrictions on freedom of speech in Turkey amid a government crackdown initiated after the failed 2016 coup attempt. Since then, over 150,000 people have been fired or forced to resign from their jobs and over 60,000 people have been arrested. Critics have repeatedly denounced deteriorating political freedom and human rights violations in the country under the guise of augmenting national security.

Advice

Individuals in Turkey are advised to monitor the situation and avoid expressing political opinions and other contentious subjects on social media and in public spaces.​