JINHA

ANKARA - Women from political and civil society organizations are traveling to the Turkey-Iraq border to demand that the bodies of Kurdish fighters be returned to their families.

For more than a week now, the Turkish state has refused permission for the dead bodies of YPG, YPJ and HPG fighters killed fighting Daesh to be surrendered to their families. The ruling came from Turkey's cabinet. As a result, the bodies have been kept waiting at the Habur Border Gate while the fighters' families and local people hold a vigil. They are demanding the right to retrieve and bury the bodies.

Women from political parties and civil society organizations have now formed a group to head to the border gate to retrieve the bodies. The group plans to arrive on August 6. Members have invited representatives from the Republican People's Party (CHP) and women's groups, according to Selma Irmak of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK).

"Our initiatives are continuing," said Selma. "We are waiting for the state to retract its immoral position on this issue, which is an outrage to our consciences. But unfortunately, none of our initiatives have resulted in an outcome. We want to go to the border to retrieve the bodies."

(de/şg/fk/cm)