‘20 killed in operation to PKK base’

ANKARA - Doğan News Agency

Diyarbakır Gov. Mustafa Toprak said security forces killed as many as 20 suspected Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) members during a two-day operation in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır’s Görese Mountain.

“It is understood the PKK has a base in Diyarbakır’s Dicle district. Security forces staged a major operation, backed by air-power,” Toprak said. So far between 15 and 20 PKK members may have died, he said.

Toprak said authorities were still assessing losses incurred by the members but the operation was still continuing.

“We assume there are 40 to 50 PKK members in the region,” Toprak said.

Meanwhile, a group of 1000 people including deputies from the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) wanted to walk into the region, yet they were prevented by the police saying that the area was not safe.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union