Turkish Forces Neutralize 52 PKK Militants In Turkey, Iraq Over Past Week - Reports

The Turkish forces have killed, captured or forced to surrender 52 militants linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the course of counterterrorism operations in Turkey's eastern regions and northern Iraq over the past week, local media reported Friday, citing the Turkish General Staff.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th August, 2018) The Turkish forces have killed, captured or forced to surrender 52 militants linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the course of counterterrorism operations in Turkey's eastern regions and northern Iraq over the past week, local media reported Friday, citing the Turkish General Staff.

The counterterrorism raids took place on August 10-16, according to Anadolu news agency. Seven of the neutralized militants presumably were senior members of the group.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization in Turkey. Tensions between Ankara and the Kurds escalated in July 2015 when a ceasefire between Turkey and the PKK collapsed over a series of terror attacks allegedly committed by the PKK members. The Turkish forces are involved in anti-PKK raids across the country.