Riots in neighborhoods in Houthalen and Heusden-Zolder: “Conflict between Turkish community and supporters of the pro-Kurdish PKK” | Houthalen-Helchteren

The reason for the riots is said to be a conflict between the Turkish community and a group of supporters of the pro-Kurdish party PKK. “Today they celebrate Novruz, a festival that can be compared to Easter,” it sounds in Heusden-Zolder. “They drove around some neighborhoods where many Turks live with a PKK flag on their car. Many Turks felt provoked by this.” Alain Yzermans, mayor of Houthalen-Helchteren, also confirms that the commotion started after several cars with flags drove around neighborhoods in Heusden-Zolder and Houthalen-Helchteren.

Hundreds of people then took to the streets to protest, which turned into riots. Some cars were damaged and windows were broken with batons. A police helicopter flew above the area and several Limburg police forces were called in to calm the situation.

Police CARMA confirms the conflict between Kurds and Turks. According to the police, the groups of people are constantly moving in the two neighborhoods and cars are being damaged with sticks. The local police of Heusden-Zolder are now asking on social media to avoid Kolderstraat due to a large-scale police intervention. “We call on everyone to maintain calm and follow our guidelines on site,” it said. It is also restless this evening in the adjacent Lillo district in Houthalen-Helchteren. A Turkish man was beaten up and injured on the border of Houthalen and Heusden-Zolder.