August 1992 Şırnak Clashes were a series of clashes that broke out in the city of Şırnak between Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Turkishsecurity forces[3] from 18 to 21 August 1992,[1] after PKK members had built barricades and attacked the District Gendarmerie Command's building with rockets and mortars.[5] During this battle over 20,000 of Şırnak's 25,000 inhabitants fled the town due to the violence. A total of 107 people were killed, including 85 rebels and 22 civilians.[3]
The clashes started when a large force of PKK rebels attacked government buildings in Şırnak on the night of 18 August, and security forces responded by shelling and firing on rebel positions. Following the battle, a curfew was imposed in the town.[1]
British journalist Christopher de Bellaigue, in his book Rebel Land: Among Turkey's Forgotten People claimed that "when the dust settled, and guerilla numbers were revised steadily downwards and locals started to talk, it became clear that there had been no PKK force, not even a small one [present in the town]. The battle of Sirnak had not been a battle but a drawn out punitive spasm, a two-day spree by vandals wearing the colours of the Turkish state and trashing anything they saw"[5]
PKK
