Anti-PKK ops to continue in southeast Turkey: military

SIRNAK, Turkey

The security operations launched Tuesday against the terrorist PKK organization in southeastern Turkey will continue "until public security is established", the Turkish military said Saturday.

"The priority of the operations carried out in towns of Cizre and Silopi is to ensure the safety of both our security forces and the civilians," according to a statement issued to Anadolu Agency by the Turkish General Staff.

"The operations carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces, gendarmerie and police will continue in the region in a steadfast manner until public security is established," the statement said.

A joint security operation including the Turkish police, gendarmerie and military was launched Tuesday in Sirnak province "to neutralize the members of the separatist terrorist organization, nesting in residential areas", "to establish public order and security," and "to enable civilians to resume normal living conditions".

At least 68 PKK terrorists have been killed in ongoing operations in Turkey’s southeastern Sirnak province over the last four days, a security official said Saturday.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Anadolu Agency that security forces had been operating in the towns of Cizre and Silopi, with 62 of the terrorists having been killed in the former.

The operations also left one soldier martyred, and 22 others, including police officers, wounded.

A curfew was imposed on Cizre and Silopi on Monday. Many citizens reportedly left the district before the curfew was imposed.

The PKK -- considered a terrorist organization also by the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its armed campaign in late July. Since then, more than 200 members of the security forces have been martyred and over 1,700 PKK terrorists killed.