Turkey: Over 4,800 held in 1 week for terror, drugs

ANKARA

Nearly 5,000 suspects have been nabbed in one week across Turkey for terrorism, drug and smuggling, according to the Interior Ministry Monday.

Security forces neutralized 38 terrorists last week in nationwide operations between Nov. 6 and Monday; 16 were killed, 14 detained while eight more surrendered, the ministry’s weekly report said.

In total, 1,456 operations were carried out against terrorist organizations; 1,167 suspects were arrested for alleged links with terrorist organizations such the PKK, Daesh, the Terrorist Organization (FETO) and far-left organizations.

Also, 78 shelters and 21 improvised explosives were destroyed during the counter-terrorism operations in eastern and southeastern provinces of Bingol, Bitlis, Erzurum, Hakkari, and Mus.

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

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

Also, security forces seized drugs, smuggled tobacco and fuel during 2,796 anti-narcotics operations across 77 Turkish provinces; 3,682 suspects were also arrested during these operations, according to the statement.

As part of cybersecurity operations, legal action was also taken against 173 people.

In a crackdown on illegal migration, 6,890 undocumented migrants -- including 527 in Turkish waters -- were held while 110 suspects who allegedly aided them were arrested, the statement added.

In a separate incident, early Monday a soldier was injured in a mine explosion in area of Bitlis province, according to the regional governor’s statement.

Reporting by Sertac by Ahmet Sait Akcay