Supporters of the PKK terrorist group clashed with police in London’s Harringay neighborhood on Wednesday after the Metropolitan Police arrested six people in connection with suspected terrorist activity linked to the group.
The PKK, responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people in Türkiye, is designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, US, UK, and EU.
A group of PKK supporters gathered in Harringay, chanting slogans against Türkiye and calling for “Freedom for Ocalan,” referring to Abdullah Ocalan, the convicted ringleader of the PKK who is serving a life sentence in Türkiye.
Tensions escalated when protesters resisted police efforts to set up barricades, leading to a scuffle.
In response to the escalating tensions, the Secretary of State invoked emergency powers under Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 to restrict flights in the area. The measure was deemed necessary “by reason of an emergency having arisen in that area” to ensure public safety and mitigate risks during the unrest.
To quell the unrest, the police deployed a large number of officers, including a helicopter.
Earlier on Wednesday, six people were arrested in a coordinated operation by London’s Counter Terrorism Command.
The arrests were made at various locations throughout London under Section 41(1) of the Terrorism Act of 2000. All of the suspects are currently in custody at a London police station.
Acting Commander Helen Flanagan emphasized that the arrests were part of a “significant investigation and operation into activity we believe is linked to the terrorist group PKK.”
She reassured the public, stating, “There is not believed to be any imminent threat to the public linked to the matters under investigation.”
Flanagan added: “I hope these arrests demonstrate that we will not tolerate any sort of terrorist activity and will act where we believe harm is being caused to communities here in the UK or elsewhere.”