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At least 12 PKK terrorists were "neutralized" in counter-terrorism operations in Turkey and northern Iraq over the past week, the Turkish military said on Friday.
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 statement, the Turkish General Staff said seven weapon pits and shelters used by the terrorists were destroyed in the operations carried out from Oct. 18 to Oct. 26.
A total of 4,585 terrorists have been neutralized since the launch of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Syria’s Afrin region, the statement added.
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.Under pressure, terrorist PKK could be on last legsUS-led coalition strikes mosque, kills 7 in east SyriaDrones' roleIn 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.Turkey remands PKK terrorist handed over by BulgariaPKK’s Sweden head arrested in SE Turkey operation
Turkey neutralizes some 14,700 terrorists over three years
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.
Meanwhile, Turkish and U.S. soldiers conducted 66 independent patrolling in the area between Operation Euphrates Shield region and Manbij since June 18 as part of the “Manbij Roadmap” and “Manbij Security Principles,” the army said.
The Manbij deal between Turkey and the U.S. focuses on the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from the city to stabilize the region, which is in the northeast of Aleppo province in northern Syria.
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
The joint training of the U.S. and Turkish soldiers continued since Oct.9, the statement said, adding the joint patrolling will begin after completion of training.
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 death of some 40,000 people, including those of women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.