WATCH: Halabja parents complain PKK deprives them of visiting their children

HALABJA, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Families in the province of Halabja claim Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has denied them the right to see their children who have been recruited by the group.

Abdullah Mohammed from Halabja told Kurdistan24 his 16-years-old son joined PKK a year and three months ago.

Mohammed and his wife told Kurdistan24 that they visited the PKK bases in Qandil Mountain in the Kurdistan Region several times to inquire about their son Sherwan, but have been denied the right to see him.

“I ask Mr. Cemil Bayik and Mr. Karaylan [top PKK Commanders] to revisit their decision,” he said. "It's unfair to deprive parents of visiting their children."

Sherwan’s mother says they have no information whether Sherwan is alive or dead.

“PKK sent us a photo of Sherwan, but they lie. The photo belongs to the first moment that he joined the group. In the photo, he wears the same blouse that I first gave him; it was an old photo,” Sherwan’s mother said.

Shermin is another mother in Halabja whose 15-years-old son joined PKK over a year ago. She says that he was in Syria last time she talked to him on the phone.

Shermin called on PKK to “stop brainwashing Halabja children with empty promises.”

She also asked PKK to let her son come home or at least allow her to visit her son.

According to unofficial data, over 200 Halabja boys and girls, under the age of 18 have joined PKK.

Kurdistan24 contacted PKK commanders, but they refused to comment on this subject.

(Additional reporting by Mohammed Halabjayi)