Turkish Forces 'Neutralize' 33 PKK Militants In Turkey, Iraq Over Past Week - Reports

The Turkish security forces have killed, captured or forced to surrender at least 33 militants linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) across Turkey and in the north of Iraq over the past week, local media reported on Friday, citing the country's General Staff.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th October, 2018) The Turkish security forces have killed, captured or forced to surrender at least 33 militants linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) across Turkey and in the north of Iraq over the past week, local media reported on Friday, citing the country's General Staff.

The General Staff said via its official Twitter account that the security forces had carried out raids on October 12-18 and destroyed 16 shelters and depots used by militants, the Anadolu news agency reported.

The security forces also neutralized four PKK militants, who were preparing attacks against Turkish military bases, in northern Iraq during air operations on Thursday, the General Staff said, according to the news outlet.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization in Turkey. The two sides have been engaged in an armed conflict since 1984 over Kurds' aspiration to achieve autonomy. In 2013, the PKK and Ankara signed a ceasefire agreement, however, it collapsed just two years later over a number of terror attacks allegedly committed by the militants. The Turkish security forces carry out regular anti-PKK raids across the country and conduct airstrikes against the group in Iraq.