Following the removal of the curfew in the Sur district of Diyarbakır on Wednesday, residents in the conflict-riddled area started to leave, including tradesmen whose businesses have been stagnant and work places devastated due to terrorist attacks.

Despite the cold weather, residents left for other cities or districts where their relatives live. In addition, those who were displaced have voiced their grievances regarding the PKK's policies in living areas and work places.

According to a statement issued by the Diyarbakır Governorate on Thursday, the Prime Ministry has appropriated funds to relieve losses tradesmen have endured to meet their urgent needs. "For the purpose of relieving and meeting urgent needs of our small businessman who suffer as a result of the terror events that took place in the Sur district of our province, our 603 tradesmen received a total TL 1,753,500 TL [$601,224] of help from the fund that was sent from the Prime Ministry to our governorate."

Four officers were injured on Thursday in Diyarbakır when assailants attacked police monitoring the protest with a handmade explosive device. The incident took place during a press statement from a group of protesters, which included HDP Co-Chair Figen Yüksekdağ and HDP Deputies Ertuğrul Kürkçü, Çağlar Demirel, Feleknas Uca and Selma Yiğitalp, along with several other political organizations, trade unions and nongovernmental organizations. HDP regional affiliate Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair Kamuran Yüksek and Democratic Society Congress (DTK) Co-Chair Hatip Dicle were also among the group. The DTK is the umbrella organization of pro-Kurdish political organizations. When the group of 200 was barred from entering the Sur district, which has had a curfew imposed since Dec. 2 due to heavy armed clashes between security forces and PKK terrorists, a press statement was given near a police barricade. The homemade explosive device was thrown near a patrolling armed riot control vehicle, injuring four officers. Other explosives were also thrown at police officers in the attack. The police dispersed the group with tear gas and water cannons after the attack. When Yiğitalp reacted against the detentions of members of the group, police officers reacted against her and said that they were being attacked for no reason.

Counterterror police arrested eight suspected PKK terrorists in the capital of Ankara, a security source said Thursday, accusing them of planning a New Year's Eve attack.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not specify the nature of the alleged planned attack.

Two teenagers were among those arrested on suspicion of planning terror attacks, the source said. Three suspects appeared in court and were remanded to custody while another was released. Four others are still being held by police.

The arrests took place on Wednesday and Thursday in Ankara.