20 July 2017•Update: 20 July 2017
By Haydar Toprakci
TUNCELI, Turkey
Missiles fired from Turkish drones killed at least six PKK terrorists in eastern Tunceli province, an official statement said Thursday.
According to the statement issued by Tunceli Governor’s Office, Turkish forces launched airstrikes in Nazimiye district on Wednesday after detecting the terrorists in the rural area.
The terrorists killed in the operation had abducted and martyred 23-year-old teacher Necmettin Yilmaz last month, it said.
On June 16, Yilmaz’s car came under terrorist fire while he was heading to the Black Sea province of Gumushane -- his hometown -- from southeastern Sanliurfa province.
After the incident, his burnt car was found in Pulumur Valley -- where his dead body was also found on July 12.
During the operation, one M-16 infantry rifle, four Kalashnikov rifles, C4 explosives and various other stuff belonging to the terrorists were also seized, the statement added.
The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July 2015.
Since then, more than 1,200 victims, including security force personnel and civilians, have lost their lives.
However, the U.S. sees the PKK/PYD, which is part of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as an ally in the fight against Daesh.
The National Security Council of Turkey stated on Monday that some of the weapons sent to the PKK/PYD within the scope of fight against Daesh had been captured during the raids executed by Turkish Armed
Forces against the terrorist group PKK recently, proving that the PKK/PYD was a terrorist organization operating together.
