Turkey has started a new anti-terror operation in four of its eastern provinces, the Interior Ministry announced on Thursday.
2,500 PERSONNEL PART OF OPERATION YILDIRIM-13
Operation Yildirim-13 Bestler-Dereler is aimed at thwarting potential attacks this winter, completely eliminating separatist terror groups, and neutralizing all terrorists hiding out in the region, the ministry said in a statement.
Turkish forces launch new anti-terror operation in east WATCH
As many as 2,500 security personnel, including Gendarmerie Special Operations forces, police, and other security personnel, are part of the operation in Sirnak, Siirt, Van, and Hakkari provinces, it added.
Although the statement did not mention any specific group, the PKK terror group has been active in eastern Turkey and the government has launched a series of operations this year to neutralize PKK terrorists in the region.
At least 124 terrorists have been neutralized, 53 collaborators captured, 190 caves, hideouts, and storages destroyed, and a large quantity of arms, ammunition, and other supplies seized in Yildirim operations to date, the ministry said.