Turkey neutralizes 45 YPG/PKK terrorists in March

ERZURUM, Turkey

Turkish security forces in March neutralized 45 YPG/PKK terrorists threatening Turkey’s peace and security for more than 30 years, in domestic and cross-border operations.

According to the information compiled by Anadolu Agency, the counter-terror operations were conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces, General Directorate of Security, Gendarmerie General Command and National Intelligence Organization.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU. The PYD is the Syrian branch of it.

The security sources arrested over 600 people for their suspected links to the PKK terror group in nationwide operations, while 100 of the suspects were remanded into custody.

In a joint operation, Turkey’s intelligence organization and army neutralized Riza Altun, a closest aide to founding PKK member Cemil Bayik, in an airstrike at Mt. Qandil on May 21.

Among the terrorists neutralized were senior group members, including Mikail Ozdemir, the PKK’s so-called foreign relations director with the codename “Navdar”, Emrullah Dursun, the PKK’s so-called spokesman and codenamed “Serhat Varto”, and Ali Aktas, codenamed “Sinan Sor” and the so-called Qandil regional manager.

Turkish jets also targeted and destroyed PKK weapon emplacements, shelters, and ammunition depots in the regions of Qandil, Avasin-Basyan, Metina, Sinat-Haftanin and Zap, northern Iraq.

Meanwhile, the YPG/PKK attacks martyred two Turkish security forces and left eight others injured.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including many women and children.

*Writing by Beyza Binnur Donmez