2 PKK terrorist suspects arrested in Turkey's east, SE

By Yılmaz Kazandioglu and Rauf Maltas

HAKKARI/SANLIURFA, Turkey (AA) - Two suspected PKK terrorists have been arrested during counterterrorism operations in eastern and southeastern Turkey, officials announced Wednesday.

One suspect was taken into custody on Monday as part of an operation in Hakkari’s Yuksekova district, according to a statement by the governor’s Office.

Separately, a suspected member of the PKK/PYD -- Syrian affiliate of the terrorist group PKK --was arrested in the southeastern province of Sanliurfa, a security source said.

The suspect was allegedly crossing the border illegally from Ras Al-Ayn in northeastern Syria to Ceylanpinar in Sanliurfa when he was arrested, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015.

Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including a number of women and children.