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Key Kurdish Mayors Expelled as Turkey's Erdogan Increases Pressure on
pro-Kurdish Movement

Dorian Jones

   ISTANBUL - Turkish authorities have expelled the mayors of the three
   main cities in the predominantly Kurdish southeast, provoking protests
   and political condemnation. Their expulsion comes as Turkish forces are
   poised to launch a military operation against Syrian Kurdish militants.

   The pro-Kurdish HDP mayors in Van, Mardin, and Diyarbakir, were
   replaced by state-appointed trustees Monday. The ruling AKP accuses the
   mayors of supporting the Kurdish insurgent group the PKK, an allegation
   the HDP denies.

   The Turkish Interior Ministry said the personnel action was part of a
   terrorism investigation.

   "For the health of the investigations, they have been temporarily
   removed from their posts as a precaution," read an Interior Ministry
   statement.

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