PKK terrorists executed after burying ringleader

By Kemal Karadag

ANKARA (AA) – One of the founding figures of PKK terror group, Ali Haydar Kaytan, is among those neutralized in Turkish anti-terror operations in northern Iraq, according to security sources.

Kaytan -- codenamed “Fuat” -- who was once viewed as the second-in-command by PKK’s imprisoned ringleader Abdullah Ocalan -- was neutralized in what is described as one of the longest-running counter-terrorism operations.

Fearing the Turkish forces, Kaytan would regularly change his location.

However, the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) conducted an extensive search operation for Kaytan backed by drones.

In a joint operation by the MIT and Turkish forces in northern Iraq, a number of terrorists were neutralized.

Intelligence reports from the ground confirmed Kaytan was among the neutralized terrorists.

His death was kept a secret in order to keep the morale up among the ranks of the terrorist group and prevent panic.

His body was buried somewhere known only to high-level PKK ringleaders, and the operatives who buried Kaytan were later executed by the terror group.

It was found that Kaytan had chosen terrorists who would carry out suicide bombings for PKK and he gave instructions for two terror attacks in capital Ankara in 2016.

The PKK terror group often hides out in northern Iraq, just across Turkey's southern border, to plot terror attacks in Turkey.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas