Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar
Turkish security forces have neutralized nearly 14,700 terrorists as part of anti-terror operations over the last three years, the country’s national defense minister said on Friday.
Speaking to reporters in the capital Ankara, Hulusi Akar spoke on recent developments in the fight against terrorism at home and abroad, saying a total of 14,694 terrorists were neutralized from July 24, 2015, to Oct. 23, 2018.
Stating that a heavy blow was dealt to terrorists inside the country, he said: “No cave, mountain, or hill was left unturned. Every stone was looked under. We continue to do so.”
The terrorists have been crippled, said Akar. “Their communications [among themselves], their winter deployments and food gathering have been limited in all respects.”
“They are under very serious pressure by unmanned drones, aircraft, artillery, commandos and special forces. Top [terrorist] figures are aware of how desperate the situation is. That’s why they’re pursuing a number of individual and sensational acts.”
On Turkish forces' cross-border operations, he said: “We’re monitoring all of them [terror cells] including the Qandil and Sinjar [northern Iraqi regions] closely. We’ve taken necessary measures and will continue to do so.”
Iraq’s Mt. Qandil has been the main base of the terrorist PKK.
Akar also vowed the fight will continue until the last terrorist is neutralized.
The PKK terror group has been seriously crippled over the past two years amid rising pressure in Turkey and abroad, according to sources in Turkey’s security forces. 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.Security sources told Anadolu Agency that they are working tirelessly to wipe the group off the face of the country, having neutralized over 1,000 members since the beginning of the year.Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.In some 2,700 operations against the group’s urban network, more than 12,000 suspects have been taken into custody with roughly 3,000 arrests this year, the sources said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.The increased pressure has severely crippled the terror group, whose ranks in the countryside thinned to a new low of 750 terrorists, according to the sources, who added that it was struggling to find new recruits.The sources added that with recruitment in free fall and defections on the rise, the PKK is well on its way to disintegrating.Security forces have also been working to uncover the financial backers of the group and its affiliates as well as those lobbying on its behalf abroad, according to the sources.Turkey remands PKK terrorist handed over by BulgariaPKK’s Sweden head arrested in SE Turkey operationTwo PKK terrorists 'neutralized' in SE Turkey
Under pressure, terrorist PKK could be on last legs
U.S.-led coalition warplanes struck a mosque in Syria's Deir ez-Zor province, killing at least seven people, according to local sources."At least seven civilians were killed by the bombing," one source told Anadolu Agency on Thursday.On Wednesday evening, coalition warplanes targeted the Al-Zawiyya Mosque in Deir ez-Zor’s Daesh-held Hajin district.According to local sources, the mosque was severely damaged by the bombardment.Kremlin alarmed by report that US led drone attack on Russian base in SyriaLast week, at least 30 civilians were killed, including two children, when a coalition airstrike destroyed the Ammar bin Yasser Mosque in the town of Al-Sousa on Deir ez-Zor’s outskirts.Another 16 were killed in a similar attack on the Uthman ibn Affan Mosque -- in the same town -- last Friday.Along with the Hajin district, Daesh remains in control of Deir ez-Zor’s towns of Al-Shaafah and Al-Sousa, in addition to the villages of Muhsin and Bukhater.On Sept. 11, the PKK/YPG terrorist group, with U.S. and French support, launched an offensive aimed at capturing Deir ez-Zor from Daesh.
US-led coalition strikes mosque, kills 7 in east Syria
Drones' role
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.
On the role of unmanned drones in the fight against terrorism, Akar said they played an important role in Operation Euphrates Shield, which eliminated terrorists along the Syrian border, and particularly in Afrin, Syria.
On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to free Afrin of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists. On March 18, Turkish troops and the Free Syrian Army liberated the Afrin district center.
On Turkish exports of unmanned drones, some armed, Akar said: “Exporting efforts have started in earnest. Our intense contacts with friendly, brotherly countries continues,”
In July, Turkish-made unmanned aerial vehicles, equipped with the latest smart ammunition systems, were successfully tested.
The unmanned drones drew great attention from allied countries, Akar added.
A PKK terrorist who illegally crossed to Bulgaria has been handed over to Turkish officials from the Kapikule border crossing in western Edirne province, security sources said on Wednesday.The man, identified by officials as Hakki Goren, was allegedly planning to go to France from Bulgaria before being held in Plovdiv city, the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.Goren, codenamed “Haki Sedat”, was later arrested by Turkish terror squads and then remanded into custody.According to the sources, the terrorist joined meetings and demonstrations held on behalf of the PKK/KCK terror group from 2002 to 2010. Later in 2014, he crossed to Syria to carry out activities of PKK/KCK/PYD and YPG.The same terrorist illegally crossed into Greece in 2017 and coordinated transfers of PKK members, who were injured in conflict areas, to Europe.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.PKK’s Sweden head arrested in SE Turkey operation
Turkey remands PKK terrorist handed over by Bulgaria
One of the alleged regional leaders of terrorist group PKK/KCK in Sweden was nabbed in a counter-terrorism operation in southeastern Turkey, security sources said on Tuesday.The suspect, identified by the initials H.B. (46), was held in Diyarbakir province and accused of leading the terrorist group's operations in Sweden, the sources, who wished to remain unnamed due to security reasons, said.The detention was part of a joint probe launched by Diyarbakir Chief Public Prosecutors' Office, Turkish Intelligence Agency (MIT) and security forces, the sources added.H.B., who had been photographed with a poster of the head of the jailed PKK terror leader Abdullah Ocalan, reportedly came to Turkey to hold a clandestine meetings with PKK affiliates.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.Two PKK terrorists 'neutralized' in SE Turkey
PKK’s Sweden head arrested in SE Turkey operation