Russian air defense missile found during anti-PKK operations in Turkey’s southeast

ANKARA

A Russian-made air defense missile has been seized by Turkish security forces during ongoing operations against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the southeastern province of Şırnak, the Interior Ministry announced on May 10.      

The SA-16 man-portable surface-to-air missile was found in a 500-meter-deep cave used by PKK militants in the Bestler-Dereler region of the Uludere district, the statement said.      

It added that 29 PKK militants had been killed in the first phase of the operation carried out in the region between April 19 and 30.      

The second phase started with an air operation on May 8.     

Meanwhile, a Turkish soldier who was severely injured in a landmine explosion earlier in May in the southeastern province of Hakkari died in hospital on May 11.        

Gendarmerie specialist sergeant Mustafa Ünal was wounded on May 9 in the Şemdinli district by an explosive device left by PKK militants.        

Ünal had been receiving treatment at the Gülhane Training and Research Hospital in the Turkish capital Ankara.   
     
His body will be taken to his hometown in the Ortaköy district of the Central Anatolian province of Çorum to be buried.        

Moreover, five PKK militants were killed in an air operation in the southeastern province of Siirt on May 10, according to the Turkish military.      

The Turkish General Staff said the militants were planning to carry out an attack in the province.      

Two weapon emplacements were also destroyed during the operation.