Their demands included the release of five Kurdish revolutionary fighters.

Hundreds of Kurdish fighters have been sent here to enforce security.

Seventeen people, among them Kurdish fighters, were killed, and 45 others were wounded.

Kurdish fighters have since clashed with both government and rebel forces.

The four Kurdish fighters were reportedly executed after being captured by the rebels.

The deaths raised to 31 the number of Kurdish fighters killed since Friday.

Turkish security forces were increasingly involved in clashes with Kurdish separatist fighters.

Kirkuk, in the north, fell to Kurdish fighters yesterday and the cycle began.

In the interim, Kurdish fighters were a portrait of both confusion and restraint.

Moreover, it is not clear whether the disorganized young men dressed as Kurdish fighters are moving forward to fight or to steal.