Senior PKK terrorist neutralized at Qandil, N.Iraq HQ

By Zafer Fatih Beyaz

ANKARA (AA) - In a joint operation, Turkish army and intelligence units last week hit senior targets at the terrorist PKK’s base at Mt. Qandil, northern Iraq, taking out a key terrorist, sources said on Sunday.

Diyar Garip Muhammad, a member of the terrorist group’s so-called presidential and executive council, was neutralized in the operation, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Turkish authorities often use the term “neutralized" in statements to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

The operation is apparently the first time a senior PKK terrorist has been neutralized at the PKK’s Qandil headquarters.

Diyar Garip Muhammad, codenamed Halmat Diyar, joined the terrorist group in 1992 and was one of seven members of its so-called presidential council.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including many women and children.

*Writing by Burak Bir