Turkey: 20 PKK/KCK terrorists 'neutralized' in 1 week

By Cankut Tasdan and Sertac Bulur

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces have "neutralized" 20 PKK/KCK terrorists in one week, according to an Interior Ministry statement Monday.

In the statement, the ministry said the security forces carried out 222 nationwide operations against the terrorist organizations PKK/KCK, Daesh and Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

The statement said that 11 of the PKK/KCK terrorists were killed, three of them surrendered and six others were detained during the operations between Jan. 9 and Jan. 15.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the terrorist in question was either killed, captured or surrendered.

A total of 419 suspects were detained in last week's operations over the charges of aiding PKK/KCK terror organization; 40 of them were remanded, said the statement.

The operations also saw the destruction of 23 shelters and hideouts, and of 2 improvised explosives devices (IEDs).

The security forces seized 130 kilograms of substances used for explosive and 19 grenades as well as 103 guns including 19 automatic rifles.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its armed campaign in July 2015 and since then has been responsible for the deaths of around 1,100 security personnel and civilians, including women and children.

In addition, 15 out of 72 suspects who were detained in connection with Daesh terrorist organization were remanded in custody.

Over the same period, 405 out of 839 suspects linked to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) were also put behind bars pending trial.

Led by U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen, FETO is accused of orchestrating the July 15 coup plot in Turkey as well as being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

The defeated coup left 248 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.