August 1992 Şırnak Clashes

August 1992 Şırnak Clashes were a series of clashes that broke out in the city of Şırnak between Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Turkish security 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]

Date18–21 August 1992^[1]

Location

Şırnak, Turkey

37.5164°N 42.4611°E / 37.5164; 42.4611

Result

• Town of Şırnak heavily damaged^[2]

Quick facts Date, Location ...

August 1992 Şırnak Clashes
Part of Kurdish–Turkish conflict
Location of Şırnak city and province in Turkey
Date 18–21 August 1992[1] Location Şırnak, Turkey 37.5164°N 42.4611°E / 37.5164; 42.4611 Result Town of Şırnak heavily damaged[2]
Belligerents
PKK	Turkey Şırnak-District Gendarmerie Battalion Command
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
85 killed[3] 253 captured[3]	40 killed (Turkish claim)[3] 134 killed (PKK claim)[4]
22 civilians killed[3]

Close

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]

Similar operations were later launched in the towns of Kulp in Diyarbakır Province on 3 October 1992,^[2] and Varto in Muş Province on 17 September 1996.^[5]