INVESTIGATIVE journalists in Iraqi Kurdistan have exposed reports of child abductions in the region as fake news created by intelligence services to smear the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Proaktif Atolyle said that many of those who were allegedly kidnapped by the Kurdish freedom movement had been found at home with their families, the Firat News Agency (ANF) reported today.

After making contact with the youngsters, the journalists found that small numbers had tried to join Kurdish militia forces but had been turned away by the organisation because of their age.