Turkish forces detain over 900 in anti-terror sweeps

By Sarp Ozer

ANKARA (AA) – Over 920 suspects have held on terror charges, Turkey’s interior minister said on Monday.

Ongoing operations across 45 Turkish provinces have seen 924 people detained on charges of aiding and abetting the PKK terrorist group.

Separately, the ministry said Turkish police and army had carried out 213 operations since last week.

A ministry statement said two PKK terrorists were killed and five others were injured during the anti-terror operations, but no further details were given.

During the operations, 24 PKK shelters were uncovered plus weapons, ammunition and explosive materials.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July last year.

Since then, more than 300 civilians and nearly 850 security personnel have been martyred. Around 9,000 PKK terrorists have been killed or apprehended.