Turkey neutralizes PKK terrorist wanted by Interpol

ANKARA

Turkish forces neutralized a senior member of the PKK terrorist organization wanted by Interpol as well as four other terrorists, security sources said on Tuesday.

Ahmet Bal and four other PKK terrorists were recently neutralized in a joint operation conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces and National Intelligence Organization (MIT), the sources said, requesting anonymity because they are not allowed to speak to the media.

Turkish authorities use the word "neutralized" in statements to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

Without giving details of the place and timing of the operation, the sources said Turkish intelligence units found out that terrorist Bal, codenamed Dara Kato, was holding a secret meeting with some PKK terrorists.

The sources added that Bal, sought with a red notice by Interpol, was gathering intelligence on Turkey's military operations in northern Iraq's Metina and Haftanin regions.

During 2018-2019, MIT identified terrorist Bal as the person responsible for transferring explosives and terrorists from Syria to Turkey.

After joining the terror group in 2009, Bal took part in a number of terrorist acts against the Turkish security forces in the country's rural areas until 2015.

Turkish intelligence units found out that Bal crossed into Syria in 2018 and was appointed the so-called intelligence and public relations head for northern Iraq's Metina region in January.

The PKK terrorists often use northern Iraq as a base to plan cross-border terrorist attacks on Turkey.

In its more than 30-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.