Turkish forces neutralize PKK terrorist wanted by Interpol

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) – Turkish security forces neutralized two PKK terrorists, one of whom was wanted by Interpol, the country's interior minister said on Monday.

Suleyman Soylu wrote on Twitter that Necati Utku Kiraz, codenamed Azat Kendal, was on the orange category of Türkiye's wanted list, and also wanted by Interpol, as he was the plotter of numerous terror-related crimes.

The interior minister said that after a protracted period of his monitoring, the terrorist was neutralized by intelligence, local police, and gendarmerie units in southeastern province of Diyarbakir.

The wanted list is divided into five color-coded categories, with red as the most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange, and gray.

Another terrorist was also neutralized along with Kiraz, Soylu added.

Turkish forces use the term "neutralize" to indicate the terrorist in question either surrendered or was killed or captured.

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