Large cache of explosives seized in southeastern Turkey

ANKARA

Gendarmerie forces seized a large amount of explosives as part of a domestic anti-terror operation in southeastern Turkey, the interior minister said on Monday.

“As part of Operation Eren-5 Bagok: 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of plastic explosives and improvised explosive device ready to detonate were seized in Korukoy countryside in Mardin’s Nusaybin district,” Suleyman Soylu said on Twitter.

The fifth phase of Operation Eren was launched in late January as part of ongoing domestic counter-terrorism operation.

The latest phase Operation Eren-12 Gulesli was launched in southeastern Turkey in late March.

The operation was named after Eren Bulbul, a 15-year-old martyred by PKK terrorists on Aug. 11, 2017.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.