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The Turkish army “neutralized” 76 PKK terrorists including three senior members in northern Iraq and on Turkish soil 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 that between July 6-12, the army conducted anti-terror operations in the eastern Turkish provinces of Sirnak, Hakkari, Kars, Agri, Mardin, and Bitlis as well as regions of northern Iraq.
Also, 30 guns -- including infantry rifles and snipers -- and 8 improvised explosives were destroyed.
The Turkish army on Thursday completed its 13th round of patrols in the northern Syrian city of Manbij as part of a deal with the U.S. to rid the area of the terror group YPG/PKK.In a message posted Twitter, the Turkish General Staff said both countries' forces conducted separate coordinated patrols in the region between areas liberated by Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield and Manbij.The first patrols by Turkish and U.S. troops in the region began on June 18.People of Manbij long for Turkey's interventionThe Manbij deal between Turkey and the U.S. focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the city in order to stabilize the region.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives, including many women and children. The YPG/PKK is its Syrian branch.Should the Manbij model prove a success, Turkey will push for a similar arrangement in eastern Syria.Turkey has said the presence of terror forces near its border constitutes a threat and has launched military operations and other efforts to rid the region of terrorists.Turkey, US agree on clearing Syrian regions of PKK
Turkish army conducts 13th round of patrols in Manbij
During the operations, one Turkish soldier was martyred and 7 others were wounded.
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 many 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 4,540 terrorists have been neutralized.
Turkish security forces took 16 suspects, including three French nationals, into custody following an operation targeting the aiding and abetting of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists on Thursday.The suspects were captured in the Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak in southeastern Turkey.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.Over 45 PKK terror suspects arrested in TurkeyPKK terrorist on most wanted list killed in east TurkeySecurity forces 'neutralize' 5 terrorists in eastern Turkey
Turkey arrests 16, including three French nationals, for aiding and abetting PKK
On Jan. 20 Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to remove YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin. On March 18, Turkish troops and the Free Syrian Army liberated the Afrin district center.
According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty.
The statement also said Turkish and the U.S. army had conducted 13 separate coordinated patrols in the area between the Operation Euphrates Shield region and Manbij since June 18, when the first patrols by Turkish and U.S. troops in the region began.
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.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.PKK terrorist on most wanted list killed in east TurkeySecurity forces 'neutralize' 5 terrorists in eastern Turkey
Turkish airstrikes ‘neutralize’ 8 terrorists