Explosives, mortars confiscated in SE Turkey

By Halil Ibrahim Sincar

MARDIN, Turkey (AA) – Turkish security forces confiscated 10 kg (22 pounds) of explosives, 10 mortar shells and a mortar launcher in the country’s southeastern Mardin province, the provincial security directorate said on Sunday.

In a statement, it said terrorists belonging to the YPG/PKK terror group hid a huge cache of explosives in the Kiziltepe district, and were planning to target major cities.

Anti-terror units launched an operation, carried out a search with sniffer dogs, and found the items.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas