Terror attacks perpetrated by the PKK, that long plagued the southeastern Turkish region which is regarded as a stronghold of the terrorist organization, have forced the government to pay out TL 1 billion ($370 million) to victims of the attacks. Although attacks have almost ceased over the past few years, the campaign of terror left many at a financial loss.

In the southeastern province of Diyarbakır, Turkey has paid TL 1 billion to over 31,000 people since 2004 as compensation for the losses from terror attacks. Losses cover everything from damage to residences and cars to killings and kidnappings.

The country implemented a law in 2004 for the recovery of losses the public suffered in acts of terrorism. Since then, over 51,000 people applied for compensation to a committee exclusively set up to recover their losses.

Terror attacks saw a decline after the government initiated the reconciliation process, a series of steps to convince the PKK to lay down their arms and permanently cease its activities. Still, the terrorist organization makes its presence felt in the largely Kurdish southeast where it draws support through a campaign of intimidation. In October 2014, scores were killed in riots incited by the PKK under the pretext of protest against the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), with whom the terrorist organization engaged in a battle in neighboring Syria. Families of four teenagers killed by PKK supporters in Diyarbakır, who were branded as ISIS supporters while they were visiting houses to deliver humanitarian aid, are among those who were paid compensation. The families were paid about TL 170,000 for their losses and receive monthly payments.