Turkey: 13 terrorists killed in operations in past week

By Sarp Ozer

ANKARA (AA) - At least 13 terrorists were killed in anti-terror operations in southeastern Turkey over the past week, according to an official statement Monday.

The Interior Ministry’s statement said security forces conducted 230 operations against various terrorist organizations.

While 13 terrorists were killed during nationwide operations jointly conducted by Gendarmerie Special Forces, commando units, special operations police and the Turkish Armed Forces, 11 others surrendered.

Dozens of suspects were detained on charges of relations with terrorist organizations -- 70 of them to Daesh, 28 to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and 28 others to leftist terrorist groups.

In the southeastern and eastern provinces of Batman, Bingol, Agri, Diyarbakir, Sirnak and Tunceli, 21 shelters and caves used by terrorists were destroyed.

Security forces seized 65 different models of weapons -- 34 of them heavy and long-barrel firearms -- 15 grenades and 19 improvised explosive devices.

Meanwhile, more than 5.5 tons (12,125 pounds) of hashish and 1,709,307 pills were seized in 422 operations against drug trafficking.

Security forces also confiscated over 720,000 packages of smuggled cigarettes and 25,000 liters of fuel.