Yunus Okur
03 April 2020•Update: 03 April 2020
ERZURUM, Turkey
With successful operations of security forces in March, Turkey inflicted heavy blows on the YPG/PKK terror group -- which has killed tens of thousands of people in its decades-long terror campaign, including infants, children, women, teachers, and doctors.
A total of 111 terrorists, including group's senior members, were neutralized as part of counter-terrorism efforts of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) to thwart attacks seeking to disturb the peace and unity of the country.
On March 9, two terrorists -- who have been in the organization for over 20 years -- were caught by gendarmerie forces in eastern Van province, bordering Iran.
The terrorists, known to be personal bodyguards of YPG/PKK ringleaders Murat Karayilan and Cemil Bayik, said in their testimony that panic grew among the organization as a result of Turkey’s operations, and executions were performed within the terrorist organization.
Notably, the same day, Halide Tari, a senior terrorist who goes with the codename of Ayten Amed, was neutralized in the Qandil region of northern Iraq. Tari joined the terror group in 1990, and was responsible for coordination of YPG/PKK’s mobile forces.
On March 10, five senior terrorists were neutralized in the Qandil region following airstrikes conducted in collaboration with the air forces and intelligence organizations.
On March 11, Siya Munzur and Duygu Karayel, two terrorists of the YPG/PKK, laid down their weapons, and surrendered to security forces when they were persuaded by the gendarmerie forces in southeastern Mardin province.
On March 30, Nazife Bilen, member of the so-called top-level KCK leadership committee/executive council -- which plays a decision-making role -- was neutralized.
Terrorists continue to flee as a result of successful operations conducted within and outside of Turkey, and their morale is low, according to testimonies of its members, with many attempting to flee the organization.
As of March 2019, a total of 67 terrorists surrendered to security forces.
Meanwhile, for over 210 days, dozens of parents of terrorists have been staging a sit-in protest outside the offices of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), a party accused by the Turkish government of having links to the YPG/PKK terror group.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.
