UPDATE - Over 230 suspects held in Turkey anti-PKK operations

UPDATES WITH NEW HEADLINE, MORE ARRESTS IN ADANA, MERSIN, IZMIR, VAN

ISTANBUL (AA) - Police detained over 230 suspects linked to the PKK terror group across Turkey in coordinated operations early Monday, police sources told Anadolu Agency.

According to a source in Istanbul police’s anti-terror branch, who wished to remain anonymous due to restrictions on speaking to the media, 70 people were held in simultaneous police operations across different locations in the port city.

A rifle, pistol, blank firing gun, bullets and PKK documents were also seized, including digital equipment, the source added.

Police said operations remain underway to find 34 other suspects.

Also, 26 suspects were arrested in south-central Adana province, 60 more in southern Mersin province, 35 in western Izmir province, 11 in eastern Van province, 12 in southern Antalya province and 24 in eastern Malatya, police sources added.

More than 1,200 victims, 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-old armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015.