By Yunus Okur</p> <p>ERZURUM, Turkey (AA) – Turkish security forces in March neutralized 45 YPG/PKK terrorists threatening Turkey’s peace and security for more than 30 years, in domestic and cross-border operations.</p> <p>According to the information compiled by Anadolu Agency, the counter-terror operations were conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces, General Directorate of Security, Gendarmerie General Command and National Intelligence Organization.</p> <p>The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU. The PYD is the Syrian branch of it.</p> <p>The security sources arrested over 600 people for their suspected links to the PKK terror group in nationwide operations, while 100 of the suspects were remanded into custody.</p> <p>In a joint operation, Turkey’s intelligence organization and army neutralized Riza Altun, a closest aide to founding PKK member Cemil Bayik, in an airstrike at Mt. Qandil on May 21.</p> <p>Among the terrorists neutralized were senior group members, including Mikail Ozdemir, the PKK’s so-called foreign relations director with the codename “Navdar”, Emrullah Dursun, the PKK’s so-called spokesman and codenamed “Serhat Varto”, and Ali Aktas, codenamed “Sinan Sor” and the so-called Qandil regional manager.</p> <p>Turkish jets also targeted and destroyed PKK weapon emplacements, shelters, and ammunition depots in the regions of Qandil, Avasin-Basyan, Metina, Sinat-Haftanin and Zap, northern Iraq.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the YPG/PKK attacks martyred two Turkish security forces and left eight others injured.</p> <p>In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including many women and children.
*Writing by Beyza Binnur Donmez
