Turkish security forces kill 20 PKK militants in week

ISTANBUL

Turkish security forces have killed at least 20 outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants in counter-terrorism operations in a week, military said on Dec. 9.

According to a statement by Turkish General Staff, the dead included two high-ranking militants.

The operations were conducted in southeastern provinces of Diyarbakır, Bitlis, Siirt, Şırnak and also in Iraq's northern region between Dec. 1 and 7, it said.

Turkish forces defused more than 40 explosive devices planted by the group and destroyed over 70 weapon emplacements, shelters and arms depots.

The military also seized nearly a ton of narcotics, smuggled cigarette and fuel oil, which supposedly used by the PKK as sources of income.