Turkish Armed Forces 'Neutralize' 47 PKK Militants Across Country Over Past Week - Reports

A total of 47 militants belonging to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), listed as a terrorist organization by Ankara, have been "neutralized" by the Turkish Armed Forces over the past week, local media reported on Monday, citing the Turkish Interior Ministry.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th August, 2018) A total of 47 militants belonging to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), listed as a terrorist organization by Ankara, have been "neutralized" by the Turkish Armed Forces over the past week, local media reported on Monday, citing the Turkish Interior Ministry.

During the anti-terrorist raids carried out between August 6 and August 13, a total of 35 militants had been killed by the military, another three had been captured and nine more surrendered, the Anadolu news agency stated.

The security forces had arrested almost 130 people for allegedly providing aid to the PKK militants, while over 350 others had been arrested on suspicion of being linked to various terrorist organizations, including the Islamic State (outlawed in Russia), the media outlet added.

The ministry also reportedly said that the Turkish security forces had defused seven improvised explosive devices, destroyed three shelters used by terrorists and confiscated over 70 weapons, including grenades, in the country's east and southeast.

Almost 500 people have been arrested for terrorism-related crimes and another 3,489 for drug-related offenses and smuggling, the news outlet added.

The security forces have also conducted almost 3,000 anti-drug and anti-smuggling raids confiscating over 4,000 Pounds of heroin and 23 tons of illegally imported oil.

Ankara's struggle with the PKK has been ongoing for almost four decades since the early 1980s. The PKK militants are currently seeking autonomy within Turkey for Kurds, which represent the country's largest ethnic minority, and the recognition of their civil and political rights.