4 PKK/PYD suspects held in southeast Turkey

SANLIURFA, Turkey

Police detained four PKK/PYD suspects on Tuesday during an anti-terrorism operation in southeastern Turkey, according to an official Security Directorate statement.

In a written statement, the Sanliurfa Security Directorate said the suspects, who were allegedly planning a terrorist attack on security personnel, crossed the border illegally and were held in Suruc district near the Syrian border.

The statement also said the suspects planned to assassinate ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party executives.

Police also seized guns and explosives material from the suspects.

More than 1,200 people, including security force personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July 2015.

Reporting by Rauf Maltas;Writing by Kubra Chohan