Large-scale anti-terror operation launched in Turkey

ANKARA

Turkey has begun a large-scale anti-terror operation to thwart potential attacks this winter, the country’s Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.

In order to cut all logistics supply channels of terrorist groups, prevent terror activities, and ensure the surrender of terrorists this fall and winter term, the intelligence-based operations have started, said the ministry in a statement.

No terrorist group was named in the statement, but the PKK terror group has been active in Turkey's east and southeast.

Gendarmerie, police teams and village guards will take part in the planned 7,424 operations to be carried out between Oct. 7 and April 15.

346 terrorists neutralized in spring, summer

Though the ministry had planned for some 6,000 operations this spring and summer, it ended up carrying out over 8,500. In these operations, 346 terrorists were neutralized.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

* Writing by Havva Kara Aydin