17 PKK/KCK terror suspects held in western Turkey

IZMIR, Turkey

Security forces held 17 people in the Aegean Izmir province for their alleged links to the terrorist group PKK/KCK, sources said Thursday.

Anti-terror police launched an operation against those who spread PKK/KCK terrorist propaganda via social media, said the sources who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The suspects, including two officials from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), were rounded up.

Digital material was also seized during the search at the suspects' residences.

The Turkish government accuses the HDP of having links to the PKK terror group.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar in Ankara