Turkish forces neutralize 34 PKK terrorists in 7 days

By Sertac Bulur

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces have neutralized 34 PKK terrorists in a week of operations, according to the country’s Interior Ministry on Monday.

During the operations, 22 terrorists were killed, two were captured and 10 surrendered, a statement issued by the ministry said.

According to the statement, more than 2,849 arrests were made in 1,094 operations between Aug. 21-28.

They include the arrest of 127 suspects for aiding the PKK, 44 for alleged ties to Daesh, 400 for potential links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), and 14 who allegedly joined leftist terrorist organizations, the statement added.

Also last week, security forces destroyed nine shelters used by terrorists, and 27 mines and explosives in the southeastern provinces of Hakkari and Diyarbakir as well as in the eastern Bingol.

They also seized 351 kilograms of explosive materials and heavy ammunition.

During 639 anti-drug operations in 72 provinces, security forces arrested 2,258 suspects.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015. Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of around 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and some 2,200 injured.