Huge anti-PKK raids in SE Turkey uncover guns, drugs

By Hasan Namli

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AA) - Over 4.5 tons of hashish and 70,000 unprocessed cannabis plants were seized in operations targeting the PKK in Turkey’s southeastern Diyarbakir province, a local governorship said on Wednesday.

Around 8,000 members of Turkey’s security forces, including special forces, took part in an operation in 104 villages across six districts in an effort to curtail terror financing.

In raids covering over 1,500 square kilometers (580 square miles), squads questioned 986 people, stopping 133 vehicles at 30 checkpoints.

A total of 4,710 kilograms of hashish was seized during the raids, the governorship read.

In a separate search targeting five shelters used by PKK terrorists, 450 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, 160 rounds of anti-aircraft ammunition, 440 rounds of machine-gun ammunition, scores of cartridge clips and many organizational documents were also confiscated.

The shelters and ammunition were destroyed during the operation, which is ongoing.

Since the PKK launched its terror campaign in 1984, an estimated 40,000 people in Turkey have died in related violence.

Following a fragile cease-fire, the group resumed fighting in July 2015, since when it has been responsible for the deaths of approximately 1,200 security personnel and civilians, according to an official tally.