Gendarme troops in the southeastern Turkish province of Şırnak detained 16 people yesterday, including three French citizens, on charges of aiding the PKK terrorist group.

Their identities were not revealed.

Security sources said 16 suspects were acting as "collaborators" and "couriers" for the group.

All suspects were captured in Şırnak's Beytüşşebap district which has been a hotbed of PKK activity in the past.