YPG/PKK terrorists dealt heavy blow in June

By Yunus Hocaoglu

ERZURUM, Turkey (AA) – Turkish security forces neutralized 86 YPG/PKK terrorists in Turkey and abroad during the month of June, according to data compiled by Anadolu Agency.

Turkish authorities often use the word “neutralized” in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.

Counter-terrorism operations between June 1 and June 30 were jointly carried out by the National Intelligence Organization, Turkish Armed Forces, gendarmerie, and police in eastern and southeastern Turkey and abroad.

As many as 370 terror suspects were arrested in Turkish cities, with 107 of them later remanded in custody.

A total of 13 terrorists surrendered to Turkish security forces during the month.

Izzet Yigit, who killed 16 people in a 2016 bomb attack in the village of Durumlu in the Diyarbakir province, was among those neutralized, as announced by Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu on June 11.

Seven people, including one member of the security forces, were martyred and eight people wounded in the month of June.

Six civilians were martyred and eight others were injured in the terror group's attacks on civilians, while a soldier was martyred in Operation Claw-Tiger.

Two road workers were martyred and eight others were injured when a construction firm’s service vehicle was targeted by terrorists in Catak in the eastern Van province on June 8.

- Top terrorists arrested

Sabri Dal, a senior PKK terrorist wanted by Interpol, was caught in a joint operation by Turkish security and intelligence units in the Silopi district of the southeastern Sirnak province on June 19.

Zilan Demir, codenamed Zana Mardin, who was identified as a “miner and bomber” for the terror group, was caught in the southeastern Mardin province in late June.

A so-called senior terrorist identified only by his initials, R.Y., surrendered to security forces in the Hakkari province.

He was in the orange category of Turkey’s list of wanted terrorists, which is divided into five color-coded categories, with red as the most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange, and gray.

Tarik Kar, codenamed Heba Rodi, was caught and remanded in custody in June. There was a reward of 1 million Turkish liras (over $147,000) for his arrest.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and European Union – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

The terrorist YPG is the PKK's Syrian branch.