UPDATE - New anti-terror operation launched in Turkey's south

UPDATES WITH INTERIOR MINISTRY STATEMENT; CHANGES BYLINE

By Sertac Bulur and Abdullah Yasin Guler

ANKARA (AA) - A new anti-terrorism operation has been initiated in the south of Turkey, the country's interior minister announced on Wednesday.

At least 1,448 security personnel will be part of Operation Yildirim-5 in the southern Hatay province's Mt. Amanos, Suleyman Soylu said at an inauguration ceremony in the capital Ankara.

According to the Interior Ministry, security personnel, including gendarmerie commandos, gendarmerie special operations, and police special forces, as well as security guards, will be taking part in the operation.

Mt. Amanos -- also called Mt. Nur -- is known to be used as a hideout by the YPG/PKK terror group.

Over the past month, Turkey has launched a series of security operations to neutralize terrorists believed to be sheltering in the country's eastern and southeastern regions.

Yildirim-1 Cudi was started in the southeastern province of Sirnak on July 14, Yildirim-2 Cilo in the southeastern Hakkari province on July 20, Yildirim-3 Mt. Agri in the eastern Agri, Igdir, and Kars provinces on July 27, and Yildirim-4 in the eastern Tunceli province on July 29.

As part of these operations launched in July under the coordination of the Interior Ministry, 15 terrorists have been neutralized; 30 caves, shelters, and storages were destroyed; and many weapons, ammunition, and food were seized, the statement said.

Turkey's operations against terrorists within the country continue determinedly and successfully with the support of the public, the statement added.

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 nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s branch in Syria, just across Turkey's southern border.

* Writing by Merve Aydogan