11 suspected PKK members arrested in western Turkey

IZMIR

Eleven suspected members of the terrorist PKK group were arrested by Turkish security forces in anti-terror raids Wednesday in the western province of Izmir.

According to security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking with the media, a shotgun, a gun and a series of organizational documents were also found during the raids.

The suspects have been charged with belonging to a terrorist organization and planning to act on behalf of a terrorist organization, the sources said.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization also by the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015.

Since then, nearly 600 security personnel, including troops, police officers and village guards have been martyred and more than 5,000 PKK terrorists killed in operations across Turkey and northern Iraq.