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Recep Tayyip Erdogan: "The entire West has sided with terrorists and attacked us." Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks during an interview with

In the north of Syria, the time allowed by the Turkish army to Kurdish forces to withdraw from the border areas expires on the evening of Tuesday evening. While President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is already threatening to resume hostilities, police on Monday morning arrested pro-Kurdish mayors in Diyarbakir province.

With our correspondent in Istanbul, Anne Andlauer

The police operation targeted Adnan Selcuk Mizrakli, the elected mayor of Diyarbakir, a Kurdish-majority southeast province with nearly 1.7 million inhabitants. Two months ago, he was removed from office for suspicion of links with terrorism and replaced by the prefect.

"Terrorist propaganda"

Four mayors were detained in connection with an investigation into "belonging to a terrorist organization" and "terrorist propaganda". Their formation, the HDP, blasted an " attempt to destroy the only anti-war party in the Turkish parliament ." Since the beginning of the offensive against Kurdish forces in northern Syria, the HDP denounces increased repression of its members and elected officials. On 18 October, three other mayors of other major Kurdish cities had been dismissed.

Erdogan against the West

Across the country, any form of demonstration against the offensive is prohibited. Speaking of "invasion" or "war" can be likened to terrorist propaganda. At least 24 people have already been imprisoned because of their critical messages on social networks.

This Monday, October 21, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has once again attacked the many countries denouncing the offensive. "The entire West has sided with terrorists and attacked us," the Turkish president said.

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