Turkish commandos destroy 2 hide-outs used by PKK

ANKARA/BINGOL, Turkey

Turkish forces on Friday destroyed two hide-outs that were being used by the PKK terrorist organization.

The National Defense Ministry said a cave with eight rooms in Hakurk region of northern Iraq was destroyed by Turkish commandos.

The 300-meter-long (984 feet) cave had generators, accumulators, blankets, chairs, and food in it. It was being used as the terror group's regional headquarters.

The gendarmerie, acting upon an intelligence tip-off, found the second hide-out in Genc town of Turkey's eastern Bingol province.

The hide-out, where the terrorists had laid traps with grenades, was also destroyed as part of Operation Yildirim-9, the governorate said.

Operation Yildirim-9 is aimed at eliminating terror group PKK from the country and neutralizing all terrorists taking shelter in the region, the ministry said in a statement.

Turkish authorities often use the term “neutralized” to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

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 Dilan Pamuk