At least 23 terrorists including a senior operative were neutralized in counter-terrorism operations across Turkey over the past week
At least 23 terrorists including a senior operative were neutralized in counter-terrorism operations across Turkey over the past week, the country's Interior Ministry said on Monday.
Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.
The ministry said in a statement that a total of 2,404 anti-terror operations were conducted on Dec. 10-17.
Aysenur Inci, a terrorist on the ministry's wanted list, surrendered to security forces on Saturday at the Habur border gate on the Turkey-Iraq border, according to the Sirnak Governor’s Office.
Inci had been involved in terrorist activities as a Daesh member in Turkey's southeastern Adiyaman province before she went to Syria to join the terror group's activities.
The Syrian military opposition has vowed support for a planned Turkish military operation against the YPG/PKK terrorist group east of the Euphrates River.Spokesman Ayman al-Asimi said the Syrian opposition was ready to fight against YPG/PKK terrorists who occupy regions east of the Euphrates."The [planned Turkish] military operation east of the Euphrates is a continuation of the Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch Operations, which brought safety and stability to the Syrian people,” he said in a statement on social media.“It is an operation that will maintain the integrity of Syria," he stressed.Al-Asimi said the YPG/PKK terrorist group was a “source of international terrorist threat” that blocked efforts to reach a political solution to the conflict in Syria.He went on to call on the international community to take side with the Syrian opposition and Turkey against the terrorist group.On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that within days Turkey would launch an operation in Syria, east of the Euphrates, near Turkey’s borders, to clear the region of YPG/PKK terrorists.That operation would follow two successful Turkish operations since 2016 to foil the formation of a “terror corridor” along Turkey’s border.In a message to the Syrian Free Army and National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (SMDK), U.S. officials have warned the Syrian opposition against backing the Turkish operation."Any participation by the Syrian National Coalition or the Free Syrian Army in any way is an attack on the United States and the Coalition Forces, and it will lead to direct confrontation with Coalition Forces and the United States of America. That will fully destroy the relations between the United States and the Syrian National Coalition and the Free Army," read the message."When elephants dance, you must stay away from the dance floor," the U.S. officials said.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.*Ali Murat Alhas contributed to this story from Ankara.
Syrian opposition vows support for Turkish op east of Euphrates
A Turkish aid agency has opened several key facilities in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in Philippines.Two orphanages, a school, a mosque, a refectory and a water well were opened by the Istanbul-based Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) for the local residents.While the primary school was built in Talayan municipality, the other facilities were built inside IHH Orphanage Complex in Cotabato.The opening ceremony of the facilities was attended by Sait Demir, vice president of the IHH; Omer Kesmen, IHH’s regional representative to Moro; Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim, chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF); and Mohammad S. Yacob, head of Bangsamoro Development Agency among other officials and residents.Speaking at the ceremony, Demir said the foundation continued to be a hope for the oppressed and the victims with the lasting works it did along with the humanitarian aid works being carried across the world.Turkish aid group ready for operation east of EuphratesTurkey welcomes deals between Yemeni gov’t, rebels‘I feel myself at home in Turkey’Also speaking at the ceremony, Ebrahim said they were always going to boost the friendship with Turkey.Stating that he has been visiting Turkey each year to share information on the future of Moro with related authorities, he added that their long struggle had been for the peace of Moro people.Ebrahim also said a plebiscite is going to be held on Jan. 21, 2019 on the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and as a result of it a transition government is going to be set up.The Bangsamoro Organic Law, the fulfillment of the 2014 peace deal between the national government and the MILF, was signed in June by President Rodrigo Duterte.The measure for greater autonomy creates the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, a region with more political and fiscal powers including a bigger annual block grant equivalent to 5 percent of the total national internal revenue collection.Ebrahim went onto say that Turkey was one of the powerful countries that give them the biggest support, and added: “IHH is giving service to Moro in many fields such as orphanage and social aids. IHH also makes a serious contribution to [peace] process with the observer role in negotiations [with Philippines government].“When I come to Turkey, I feel myself at home and very happy,” he added.Turkey, Kenya mark golden jubilee of friendshipTurkish aid group ready for operation east of Euphrates'Optimistic and hopeful'Also thanking Turkey for its support Bangsamoro people during the transition to comprehensive autonomy, Ebrahim said the people have reached the last phase of a 50-year fight and resistance.He said the referendum was going to decide the regions that will come under the Bangsamoro Organic Law, adding the law will provide necessary freedom for practicing religion.“We are optimistic and hopeful that most of the people in the region will support the referendum,” he said, adding that they witnessed a strong support during the campaign process.Stating that the ones opposing the referendum are less in numbers and they did it for political interest, Ebrahim said it was not possible for them to negatively affect the voting.Kesmen, for his part, said: “We are trying to contribute to the just cause of the Moro people by carrying out both orphanage, school and humanitarian aid as much as we can.”Two orphanages inside the IHH’s complex have capacity of 96 children, while the mosque allows 150 people to perform prayer at the same time.The refectory will also serve 120 orphans and workers.The primary school -- which is expected to improve people-to-people relation between Turkey and Moro -- opened in Talayan has a capacity for 150 students.Turkey welcomes deals between Yemeni gov’t, rebelsTurkey, Kenya mark golden jubilee of friendship
Turkish aid agency builds key facilities in Moro region
Security forces also seized 28 hand grenades, 482 kilograms of explosive material, 13 improvised explosives, 20 long-barreled weapons and 7,499 ammunition.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.
The security forces arrested 3,351 suspects for crimes linked to drugs and smuggling, 751 others for aiding and abetting terror organizations and 226 suspects for human trafficking.
A total of 3,821 irregular migrants were caught during the operations, according to the statement.
Turkish military “neutralized” 10 PKK terrorists in airstrikes carried out in northern Iraq, the Turkish Defense Ministry said on Sunday.Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.In a Twitter post, the ministry said the airstrikes were carried out in Gara and Hakurk regions on Saturday and Sunday.The terrorists were plotting attack on Turkish bases, the post said.It added that shelters and caves belonging to the terror group were also destroyed in the airstrikes.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.Turkish army ‘neutralizes’ 20 PKK terrorists in N IraqSyrian opposition backs Turkey’s planned operationYPG/PKK terrorists continue to pose threat to Turkey
Turkish army ‘neutralizes’ 10 PKK terrorists in N Iraq
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on Sunday said that Turkey hopes to “completely neutralize” the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terror organization in the close future."The terror group is experiencing serious failure following our decisive fight. Their terror activities have been largely restrained. Hopefully, we will come to a position to completely neutralize them," Hulusi Akar said at an award ceremony in the capital Ankara.Akar said the counter-terror efforts were "necessary and obligatory" for Turkey's security.The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. The PKK has been conducting armed violence in the southeastern part of Turkey since 1984. More than 40,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the three-decade long conflict.He also stressed the importance of protecting Turkey’s rights in Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.“We will continue to protect our rights and benefits in Aegean, in the Eastern Mediterranean and in ‘blue homeland'," he added.
Turkey hopes to completely wipe out PKK terror group, says DefMin