Farmers take control, police caught off guard in occupied territories, KNEWS

A protest outside the prime minister’s residence in the occupied territories degenerated into chaos on Monday as farmers, supported by various unions, NGOs and political groups, voiced their grievances.

Protesters used tractors as weapons, throwing them against the iron gates of the courtyard and engaging in clashes with police stationed outside the building. The atmosphere was thick with smoke as large bales of hay ignited, intensifying the standoff. Calls for the government to resign echoed through the crowd, with opposition MPs invited to join the battle inside the building.

Over the past week, farmers have staged daily protests outside the prime minister’s office, denouncing the government’s decision to allow meat imports from the Netherlands and its failure to deal with soaring meat prices. lamb and beef.

In a show of solidarity, air traffic controllers had planned to strike, but the government quickly intervened, calling the strike illegal and imposing a 60-day ban on all strike action, as the Official Gazette announced.

Although it is not certain whether demonstrators were apprehended, local media report the presence of police intervention units.

Union leaders framed the protest as a battle for community survival, vowing to step up their mobilization efforts. “We will flood the streets to safeguard our future,” they said.

The disruptions spread beyond the prime minister’s residence, with protesters obstructing traffic on the main road, waving banners and flags and chanting: “This is just the beginning, continue the fight.”

Mustafa Naimoylari, president of the Breeders’ Association, affirmed their unwavering commitment to the cause, saying: “We will not be deterred by such actions and we will not back down. Our fight will continue and everyone will witness it.”

Despite calls from the government to end the protests to facilitate dialogue, farmers remain resolute in their demands.

Prime Minister Unal Ustel had called before the day’s events for “common sense” among the demonstrators, stressing that the interests of the productive sector should not overshadow those of society as a whole. However, his remarks regarding the presence of “tractors worth millions” at the protest site further fueled tensions and backlash.

(Information from 24 News)