WAR has been declared on opposition in Turkey, politicians warned today after 282 people were arrested for an operation targeting the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Opposition party members, local mayors, artists and at least three journalists were detained across 51 of the country’s 81 provinces on accusations of providing financial support to the PKK, recruiting members, engaging in propaganda and participating in violent street protests.

The PKK is designated as a terrorist organisation by Turkey and its Western allies and has led a decades-long insurgency for Kurdish autonomy in the region.