Turkish forces foil terror attack, arrest 2

MARDIN, Turkey

Turkish forces on Wednesday arrested two Syrian nationals who were plotting a terror attack in the country's biggest cities, security sources said.

The country's intelligence service and provincial gendarmerie conducted a joint anti-terror operation in the southeastern Mardin province, said the sources on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

In the operation, two alleged terrorists and a person who helped them were arrested.

Nearly 15 kilograms (33 pounds) of plastic explosives, four ignition keys, four electric detonators, two memory cards and four 9-volt batteries were also seized.

According to the bomb squad, the explosives seized had the potential to blow up a three-story building.

No statement has yet been made about the affiliations of the suspects.

Turkey has been under attack from the YPG/PKK and Daesh/ISIS terror groups in the last decade.

In response, Turkey launched anti-terror operations at home and abroad to prevent further attacks.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.

* Writing by Fahri Aksut