Over 60 PKK terrorists neutralized in northern Iraq

By Baris Gundogan

ANKARA

A total of 64 PKK terrorists were "neutralized" in northern Iraq from June 1-7 during security operations, the Turkish military said Friday.

In a statement the General Staff said, during counter-terror operations in Turkey's Diyarbakir, Mardin, Sirnak and northern Iraq two senior PKK members were "neutralized".

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.

During the operations, security forces destroyed eight terrorist shelters, hideouts, weapon pits and 23 improvised explosives. Six soldiers were martyred and 15 others injured in the fight against terrorists.

In addition, they seized eight infantry rifles, two AT-5 anti-tank missiles, four AT-4 anti-tank missiles and 19 assorted weapons.

The General Staff said that 4,503 terrorists have been "neutralized" since the beginning of Operation Olive Branch in Syria this January.

Fifty-four Turkish soldiers were martyred and 234 were injured in the fight against terrorist in Syria's Afrin. Since March 18, 2018, Turkish army and Free Syrian Army have destroyed 240 mines and 1,231 improvised explosives in Afrin.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the death of some 40,000 people, including those of women and children.

The YPG/PKK and PYD/PKK are Syrian branches of the terrorist PKK and the focus of Turkey's successful counter-terrorist Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria, near the border with Turkey.

Also, the Turkish army-backed Free Syrian Army has taken control of 243 residential areas along with a 2,015 square-meter area in Azaz and Jarablus as part of Operation Euphrates Shield in Syria.

Operation Euphrates Shield took place from August 2016 to March 2017 to eliminate terror threats along the Turkish border.

In Idlib region, 12 monitoring points since Oct 13, 2017 were established and are actively operating, said the statement.

Moreover, 4,171 people were held by security units while attempting to illegally cross into the country.