VAN/EDIRNE, Turkey

A total of 23 suspects linked to the PKK terror group were arrested across Turkey, according to a security source Saturday. 

Fourteen suspects were arrested in Bursa, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Tunceli, and Sirnak, a security official in Istanbul, from where the operation was launched, said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to media.

Among the suspects were 12 women, the source added.

In southeastern Van province, gendarmes detained seven PKK suspects, according to provincial gendarmerie office.

In northwestern Edirne province, two suspects were arrested; one of them was a women.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the death of some 40,000 people.

Reporting by Salih Baran and Mesut Varol; Writing by Sadik Kedir Abdu