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The Turkish army "neutralized" 38 PKK terrorists on Turkish soil and in northern Iraq over the past week, the military said on Friday.
Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.
In a weekly statement, the Turkish General Staff said the army conducted anti-terror operations in Turkey’s eastern and southeastern provinces of Sirnak, Siirt, Diyarbakir, Mardin, Van and Agri, as well as in regions of northern Iraq on Oct. 5-12.
The statement noted that 11 terrorists were neutralized on Turkish soil, while 27 others were neutralized in northern Iraq.
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.
Separately, the military said that since the launch of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Syria’s Afrin region, a total of 4,585 terrorists have been neutralized.
Turkey on Jan. 20 launched Operation Olive Branch to remove YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from northwestern Afrin. On March 18, Turkish troops and Free Syrian Army liberated the Afrin district center.
Turkey's campaign against drug trafficking in the first nine months of the year has struck a major blow to the PKK terrorist organization's access to financial resources, said the Interior Ministry on Wednesday.According to the ministry’s statement, Turkish security forces conducted over 108,105 anti-drug trafficking operations and seized drugs worth 2.83 billion Turkish liras (around $467 million).In the operations, 149,836 suspects were arrested, while 59.3 tons of cannabis, 13 tons of heroin and a ton of cocaine were seized by security forces.Drug trafficking is one of the main sources of funds for the terrorist organizations.A Turkish police report released on Sept. 26 revealed the PKK terrorist organization is active in all the phases of drug-trafficking including the production, delivery, distribution, and sales.Video: Turkish police seize over 50 kg of heroinPKK terrorist organization earns $1.5 billion from drug trafficking annually, said the 2018 Turkish National Drug Report that contains the data of previous year.The terror group reportedly produces heroin in laboratories established in its camps in northern Iraq and sells it to Europe.In its production process, the PKK terrorist organization forces civilians to produce cannabis roots in eastern and southeastern provinces of Turkey and uses that money to fund terror activities.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has been responsible for the death of some 40,000 people, including women and children.
Turkey's war on drugs in 2018 strikes major blow to PKK
Turkish airstrikes destroyed terrorist group PKK’s weapon emplacements, shelters and hide-outs in northern Iraq, the Turkish military said on Wednesday. The Turkish Armed Forces said on its website that the army carried out anti-terror operations in Zap and Hakurk regions of northern Iraq. 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.US supplies construction vehicles to YPG/PKK in ManbijPKK/KCK has armed 679 childrenTwo PKK terrorists 'neutralized' in eastern Turkey
Turkish jets hit terrorist PKK targets in N.Iraq
The U.S. forces in Syria’s Manbij provided the YPG/PKK terror group with new construction equipment, allowing the terrorists to continue digging up trenches and build embankments around the city center.As the U.S. troops continue its military and logistic transportation from northern Iraq to northwestern Syria, despite a deal between Ankara and Washington on withdrawal of the terror group from the city, local sources told Anadolu Agency that the U.S. also sent aid to YPG/PKK in the region.Trucks, carrying four construction vehicles, were transported to Manbij. The U.S. soldiers escorted the transferring of construction vehicles, which included 3 bulldozers and one excavator.The YPG/PKK uses bulldozers and excavators to dig up trenches and embankments in the area.PKK/KCK has armed 679 childrenEarlier, the terror organization formed embankments at various depths in front of trenches to make up a series of lines stretching nearly 30 kilometers (18.06 miles).The trenches can be clearly seen in satellite photos taken by Anadolu Agency.The YPG/PKK terrorists also built tunnels linking trenches to use during possible combat.The Manbij deal between Turkey and the U.S. was inked in June this year on the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from the city to stabilize the region, which is in the northeast of the Aleppo province in northern Syria.PKK attack martyrs soldier, civilian in SE TurkeyWashington has claimed the YPG is a “reliable ally” in the fight against Daesh, while Ankara has pointed to its status as an offshoot of the PKK, a recognized terrorist group which has taken some 40,000 lives in Turkey.The YPG/PKK terror group is also in the midst of a military buildup along Manbij's border with areas liberated by Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield in 2016-2017.PKK is hiding behind US flags in Manbij: Syrian Turkmen Council head
US supplies construction vehicles to YPG/PKK in Manbij
PKK/KCK terrorist organization has currently armed 679 children who were forcibly taken away from their families, according to a security source.The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said PKK/KCK wants support from women and youngsters.It does not hesitate to recruit teenagers who are impressionable, the source added.The PKK/KCK uses psychological traps to attract children to its ranks, hiding its terror motives under the grab of bravery and self-sacrifice.The children in PKK/KCK ranks are aged 14-18.Two PKK terrorists 'neutralized' in eastern TurkeyThe terror group recruited 47 children below 15 years of age over the past nine months, by threatening or kidnapping them, the source said.Between the years 1990-2018, PKK/KCK has recruited a total of 1,466 children under the age of 15 by force.In 2014, the terror group recruited 305 children, while these numbers are 424 in 2015, 222 in 2016 and 88 last year.The number has drastically dropped owing to the efforts of Turkish 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 some 40,000 people, including women and children.Over 150 PKK/KCK suspects arrested across Turkey
PKK/KCK has armed 679 children