14 PKK terrorists killed in SE Turkey, Iraq's north

By Ilkay Guder

ANKARA (AA) - A total of 14 PKK terrorists were killed Saturday in separate air operations in Turkey's southeastern Adiyaman province and northern Iraq, the Turkish military said.

In a written statement, the Turkish Armed Forces said an hourlong air operation on Iraq's Sinat-Haftanin region starting at 8.31 a.m. local time (0531GMT) had killed six terrorists.

In another air operation in the southeastern Adiyaman province at around 07.10 a.m. local time (0410GMT), eight terrorists were killed.

The statement said the terrorists had been plotting terrorist attacks.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Adiyaman Governor Abdullah Erin said search teams including the Turkish Land Forces are currently sweeping the area.

"None of our soldiers were injured, fortunately," he added.

In a separate statement, the Turkish Armed Forces said a total of 112 PKK terrorists were killed on April 20-28.

The operations took place in Turkey's southeastern and eastern provinces of Sirnak, Hakkari, Siirt, Diyarbakir, Mardin, Tunceli, Bitlis, and Kars.

In the operations, 53 rifles were seized, along with two automatic rifles, six RPG rocket launchers, four sniper rifles, and 78 hand grenades.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015, and since then has been responsible for the deaths of some 1,200 security personnel and civilians, including women and children.