PKK terrorists in Turkey's Diyarbakir told to surrender

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey

Turkish security forces are asking civilians to evacuate and PKK terrorists to surrender in southeastern Diyarbakir province's Sur district, Anadolu Agency correspondents witnessed Tuesday.

Turkish gendarmes could be seen making announcements about the evacuation and surrender from their armored vehicles in the area.

"We don't want children to get harmed. We are worried about them. If the children get harmed, you will be held responsible legally. Do not use children as human shields," Turkish security forces said in their announcement.

According to security sources, 24 civilians have so far been evacuated.

Three PKK terrorists surrendered to security forces on Feb. 22, while six civilians were evacuated on Feb. 19.

Turkey's southeast has been the scene of significant military operations since December; a curfew was declared in the town last Tuesday.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU -- resumed its 30-year armed campaign last July. Since then, more than 280 members of the security forces have been martyred and thousands of PKK terrorists killed, according to officials.