Turkey: 18 arrested over alleged PKK terror propaganda

By Sezgin Pancar, Safak Yel Bulent Mavzer

MERSIN

Turkish police on Friday arrested 18 people over suspected PKK terror propaganda in three provinces, police sources said.

Counter-terrorism police conducted a series of raids in the Aegean Izmir, southern Mersin, and eastern Igdir provinces, arresting 18 suspects, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Earlier in the day, prosecutors in the provinces issued arrest warrants for 27 people for their alleged involvement in social media propaganda campaigns for the PKK terror group.

The sources said police are continuing to search for other suspects.

Turkish forces also arrested two PKK/PYD suspects in the southeastern border provinces of Sanliurfa and Gaziantep who allegedly infiltrated Turkey.

The PKK/PYD is the Syrian branch of the PKK terrorist network, which has waged war against Turkey for more than 30 years. Turkey considers the PKK, PYD, and YPG as one and the same.

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