Security forces kill at least 11 PKK terrorists in eastern Turkey


Turkish security forces killed at least 11 PKK terrorists in operations in Turkey's eastern Van and southeastern Hakkari provinces, a Turkish security source said Friday.

According to the source, who spoke to Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, Turkish security forces had identified terrorists in the Hacıbekir neighborhood of İpekyolu district on late Thursday, who were allegedly planning an attack but were then later killed in an operation.

The source added that an operation was continuing in the region. Turkish forces are said to be in pursuit of four wounded terrorists on the run.

Meanwhile, security forces also killed a group of 8 to 10 PKK terrorists in an air operation launched early Friday in the southeastern Hakkari province, according to the military.

The Turkish General Staff issued a statement saying that fighter jets bombarded the Daglica rural area between 4:35 and 4:58 am (0135-0158GMT), and then from 8:20 to 8:45 am (0520-0545GMT), killing up to 10 terrorists located in the region.

The PKK-listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU-resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015.

Since then, over 500 security personnel, including troops, police officers, and village guards, have been martyred, and more than 5,000 PKK terrorists killed in operations across Turkey and northern Iraq.