By Yunus Okur
ERZURUM, Turkey
At least 760 terrorists were “neutralized” in operations against PKK terrorist organization and its affiliated groups inside and outside Turkey in the first month of 2018.
Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.
According to an Anadolu Agency correspondent, nine security officials were martyred in PKK’s terrorist attacks in January. In the same attacks, eight civilians lost their lives and 89 others sustained injuries.
A total of 137 suspects -- including provincial heads of the opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), members of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) and Leyla Guven, co-chair of umbrella group Democratic Society Congress (DTK) -- were arrested in January in nationwide operations against PKK terrorist organization and its youth structuring.
Operations continue in harsh winter
Despite harsh winter conditions, the Turkish Armed Forces continued operations especially in eastern and southeastern Turkey without any interruption.
The military destroyed hideouts, weapon depots, positions and shelters used by the PKK terrorist organization especially in eastern and southeastern Turkey's provinces -- including Tunceli, Erzincan, Erzurum, Agri, Kars, Hakkari, Sirnak, Mardin, Bitlis and Van provinces.
48 members of the terrorist organization were “neutralized” in domestic operations and air operations.
Border cleared from terrorists
On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin, northwestern Syria.
The operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty.
The Turkey-backed forces freed a total of 27 points, including 19 villages, an inhabited area and seven strategic mounts or hills within 12 days of the operation.
In this operation, the military forces with the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army neutralized 712 terrorists in 12 days.
Some terror incidents that took place in January
On Jan. 14, one soldier was martyred in an attack carried out by the PKK terrorists from the Iraqi border on a military base in Turkey’s southeastern Hakkari province of Cukurca district.
On Jan. 16, so-called PKK’s commander of Aladaglar area in eastern Van province was arrested in western Bursa province.
On Jan. 21, seven people, wounded in the rocket attacks fired by PKK/PDY terrorist organizations in Syria’s Afrin, were taken to hospital.
On Jan. 21, a Syrian was killed and 46 others -- including 16 Syrian nationals -- were injured in an attack carried out by PKK/PYD terrorist organizations in Reyhanli district in southern Hatay province.
On Jan. 22, one person died and two others were injured during a cross-border rocket attack by PYD/PKK terror group in the southern Hatay province.
On Jan. 22, three soldiers were injured in an attack carried out by the PKK terrorist organization in Turkey’s southeastern Cukurca district of Hakkari province.
On Jan. 31, one corporal was martyred in a clash between the security forces and the terrorists in Dogubeyazit district of eastern Agri province.
