PKK blamed for arson attacks in Turkey’s southeast

ŞIRNAK – Anadolu Agency

Militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) have been blamed for setting fire to 180 properties in the southeastern province of Sirnak since security operations began there on March 14.

According to anonymous army and police sources, the PKK is responsible for arson attacks on schools, mosques and public buildings.        

The anti-terror operation, launched March 14, purportedly aims to clear the area of militants and “ensure public security.”  
      
State-run Anadolu Agency sources stated that most of the properties burned by the PKK were heavily damaged and rendered useless.  
     
Security forces also seized over 1,500 makeshift explosives in the area over the past 76 days, the sources added.