Turkish security forces destroy 2,200 explosive devices

ANKARA (AA) – More than 2,200 improvised explosive devices have been destroyed by the Turkish army in ongoing anti-terror operations in two southeastern provinces, military sources said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Turkish General Staff gave details of operations in Mardin and Sirnak provinces.

According to the statement, Turkish security forces killed five PKK terrorists Monday in Sirnak, bringing the number of terrorists killed there to 419. Security forces also destroyed over 1,000 handmade explosives.

Security forces also destroyed thousands of buried explosives left by the PKK in Nusaybin, the statement added.

The PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU – resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015.

Since then, more than 460 members of the security forces, including troops, police officers, and village guards have been martyred, and over 4,500 PKK terrorists killed in operations across Turkey and northern Iraq.