Turkish security forces neutralized a total of 1,090 YPG/PKK terrorists both in Turkey and abroad last month, according to data compiled by Anadolu Ag
Turkish security forces neutralized a total of 1,090 YPG/PKK terrorists both in Turkey and abroad last month, according to data compiled by Anadolu Agency.
Turkish authorities often use the word “neutralized” in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.
The counter-terrorism operations were jointly carried out by the country’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT), Turkish Armed Forces, gendarmerie and police forces in eastern and southeastern Turkey and abroad, targeting YPG/PKK terrorists.
From Oct. 1-31, 16 security personnel and 21 civilians, including infants and children, were martyred in terror attacks.
In the same period, 410 terror suspects, including mayors of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) — which Turkey’s government accuses of having links to the PKK terror group –, were arrested as part of operations against the YPG/PKK in Turkish cities. Of them, 212 were remanded into custody.
So-called senior figures of the terror group were also neutralized in eastern, southern, and southeastern Turkey during the operations.
Heavy blow to senior YPG/PKK terrorists
Beyan Dera, one of the neutralized terrorists, was wanted in the orange category of the Interior Ministry’s list.
The wanted list is divided into five color-coded categories, with red as the most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange, and gray.
Nasir Tur, a PKK terrorist against whom Interpol issued a red notice, was arrested by Spanish police on Oct. 9.
The Interior Ministry announced that two terrorists in the gray category surrendered on Oct. 20.
PKK’s so-called regional leader Mustafa Akbas was neutralized with two others during security operations in Derik district of Mardin province on Oct. 21.
PKK’s two top terrorists; Servet Aydin, codenamed Gulciya, and Soylemez Yasar, codenamed Tekosin Batman, were neutralized in an airstrike in northern Iraq.
Terror attacks in October
Two people were killed in YPG/PKK attacks targeting civilians in Akcakale district of Sanliurfa on Oct. 10 from the areas occupied by the terrorist organization YPG/PKK in Syria.
On the same day, a mother and two children were killed and 24 people were wounded in the attacks on civilian settlements with mortar shells by the YPG/PKK in Nusaybin district of Mardin province.
Dozens of people were killed in triple attacks by YPG/PKK terrorists on Oct. 11.
The first attack in Sanliurfa’s Suruc district on Oct. 11 killed three civilians and wounded two.
The second attack on a military base in Azaz, Syria martyred two Turkish soldiers and injured three.
The third attack in Nusaybin district of Mardin province left nine people dead and 34 wounded.
On Oct. 15, two soldiers were martyred and seven wounded by mortars and artillery fired by terrorists from Manbij, Syria.
Four people were wounded in another PKK attack in Uludere district of Sirnak province on Oct. 20.
At least two soldiers were martyred and four wounded in an attack carried out by YPG/PKK terrorists in Ras al-Ayn, Syria on Oct. 27.
Operation Peace Spring
Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.
On Oct. 22, Turkey and Russia reached a deal under which YPG/PKK terrorists would pull back 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) south of Turkey’s border with northern Syria and security forces from Turkey and Russia would conduct joint patrols there.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG/PYD is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK.
The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union.