Turkish airstrikes hit terrorist PKK targets in N.Iraq

By Mumin Altas, Cankut Tasdan, Sertac Bulur

ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish Air Forces hit several terrorist PKK targets in Turkey's southeast as well as northern Iraq Monday, the Turkish General Staff said.

According to a statement, an air operation was launched in the Avasin-Basyan region of northern Iraq and Turkey’s southeastern Hakkari province at 11.15-11.42 (GMT).

Four weapon depots and shelter targets were rendered unusable by the airstrikes.

More than 1,200 people, including security force personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU -- resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July 2015.

- 50 PKK terrorists killed or surrendered

During the week of March 27 to April 3, 50 suspected terrorists were neutralized during anti-terror operations, said the Interior Ministry Monday.

According to a statement, 262 counter-terrorism operations were staged.

Twenty-nine suspected terrorists were killed, and 21 others surrendered.

Forces destroyed 43 caves and shelters and destroyed 25 improvised explosive devices.

Some 1,500 kilograms of explosives, 157 grenades, and 75 weapons including 58 heavy, long-barreled guns were seized.

Dozens of suspects were detained on charges of links with terrorist organizations -- 345 with the PKK, 65 with Daesh, 1,973 with the FETO, and 28 others with leftist terrorist groups.

According to the Turkish government, the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 2016, which left 249 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Also last week, 2,465 migrants were detained, and 47 human smugglers.

More than 1.5 tons of hashish and over 40,000 narcotics pills were seized in anti-drug operations.

Security forces also confiscated 554,768 packs of smuggled cigarettes and 21,887 liters of smuggled fuel.