Turkish army says 92 terrorists killed in one week

By Hamdi Celikbas

ANKARA (AA) – Nearly 100 terrorists were killed in Turkey between May 25 and June 1, the Turkish General Staff said Friday.

Operations against the PKK in 10 eastern and southeastern provinces resulted in the deaths of 92 terrorists, according to a statement.

At least 55 shelters and depots were destroyed and numerous weapons were seized, including anti-tank rockets, mortars, rocket launchers, machine guns, infantry weapons and hand grenades.

During the same seven-day stretch, 23 Turkish soldiers were martyred, including 13 who were killed in Sirnak in a helicopter crash that also wounded 11 others.

The Turkish military AS532 Cougar helicopter crashed late Wednesday after it hit power lines shortly after take off from a base at Senoba in the Uludere district. Maj. Gen. Aydogan Aydin was among those martyred in the crash.

More than 1,200 people, including security personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its decades-long armed campaign against the state in July 2015.