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Turkish airstrikes “neutralized” eight terrorists in the country’s eastern Bitlis province and northern Iraq’s Zap region, the military said.
Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.
Turkish Chief of General Staff did not specify the terror groups involved but Turkey is embroiled in a long-running struggle against PKK terror group in the area.
At least 46 PKK-linked terror suspects were arrested in anti-terror operations in Turkey, security sources said on Thursday.In the eastern Siirt-based anti-terror operations, 40 people were held for allegedly aiding and abetting the PKK terror group in five different provinces, a source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.Separately, at least six suspected members of the PKK terrorist group were arrested in Istanbul, another source said.PKK terrorist on most wanted list killed in east TurkeyArms and ammunition, and considerable amount of digital material were seized in the operation, it added.The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015.Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including women and children.Security forces 'neutralize' 5 terrorists in eastern Turkey
Over 45 PKK terror suspects arrested in Turkey
"The terrorists were planning an attack on security forces. The counter-terrorism operations are ongoing in the area," statement added.
The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015.
Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including a number of women and children.
One of 10 terrorists "neutralized" in Turkey’s eastern Bitlis province last month was Sefer Acar, who was responsible for the martyring of 15 Turkish soldiers in 1998, the Interior Ministry announced on Thursday.“Neutralized” is a term used by Turkish authorities to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.Acar, also known as Welat Gever, was on Turkey’s terrorist wanted list, in the red category, the most wanted category.On June 28, gendarmerie forces conducted a counter-terror operation in the village of Kocyigit in the Bitlis province, where the PKK/KCK's so-called “Garzan province” head Acar was neutralized, said a ministry statement.Acar was the perpetrator of a PKK attack in northern Iraq against a gendarmerie helicopter which martyred 15 Turkish soldiers.On Acar’s person, security units found a Turkish bank note dated 1998 with a note saying "Money from helicopter pilot downed in Herko 11-27-1998." The terrorist had kept the “souvenir” of his deadly attack for 20 years.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.Security forces 'neutralize' 5 terrorists in eastern Turkey
PKK terrorist on most wanted list killed in east Turkey
Security forces neutralized five Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorists in eastern Turkey's Bitlis province, the Interior Ministry said on Monday, adding that operations in the region were ongoing.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.Security forces neutralize 18 terrorists in SE Turkey
Security forces 'neutralize' 5 terrorists in eastern Turkey