A shocking video allegedly showing Turkish soldiers ruthlessly attacking an unidentified man has sparked debate on Twitter after it was shared widely on Monday.
In the clip, which was originally tweeted by monitoring organization “Turkey Untold”, a man in civilian clothing begs the men to stop beating him in Turkish. The individuals, apparently dressed in Turkish military uniform take it in turns to kick and stomp on the victim, who is lying on the ground in a field. The video has not been independently verified.
Some have suggested on social media that the target was a Kurdish man. The government has recently detained thousands of Kurdish politicians, accusing them of having connections to the the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Turkey classifies as a terrorist group.
Over a hundred pro-Kurdish opposition members in the country have been arrested this week alone after Kurdish militants claimed responsibility for twin bombings outside an Istanbul football stadium on Saturday, which killed 38.
Torture.
— Civil Defence Units (@DefenceUnits) December 13, 2016
To a Kurdish civilian.
On border of Rojava.
By terrorist Turkish soldiers.
A question to all world:
What should the Kurds do? pic.twitter.com/gZd1VSmarA
There has been a mixed response on Twitter, with many condemning the soldiers’ actions:
VIDEO: barbaric Turkish soldiers torture on the borders of west/rojava Kurdistan so barbarically https://t.co/Ctlj3Htxou
— Kurdistan (@Kurdisim1) December 12, 2016
If this is what Turkish soldiers are willing to record on video then what they do to PoWs in private has to be at least ten times worse https://t.co/VtjUDIsPTP
— מרגל רוסי (@_sunfloweremoji) November 30, 2016
Others have shown full support for the actions of their governments’ troops:
@TurkeyUntold Puhahahaha.
— Muhalif Kartal (@Muhalif_iKartal) December 12, 2016
Unknow man, in field?
They are awesome.
Becouse the beaten is a terorist. If you need I can spel again.
TERORIST
The video comes after last month human rights organizations accused the Turkish government of the widespread torture of detainees following July’s failed coup.
RA
