KOCAELI, Turkey

Police in Turkey arrested at least 12 people over their suspected links to the PKK/KCK terror group, security sources said on Friday.

The police conducted Kocaeli-based anti-terror operations at nine different provinces and arrested the suspects, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The arrested terror suspects have been referred to the courthouse in northwestern Kocaeli for allegedly arranging recruitment of PKK/KCK terrorists at prisons.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

* Writing by Merve Aydogan in Ankara​​​​​​​