Turkish forces launched a new anti-terrorism operation in the eastern province of Van, the country’s Interior Ministry announced on Wednesday.
The ministry said in a statement that Operation Eren Winter-12 Tendurek Martyr Gendarmerie Senior Major Kivanc Cesur involves 450 security personnel and 41 operational teams from the gendarmerie, including special forces.
Major Cesur was a district gendarmerie commander in Van and one of six Turkish soldiers killed in a 2016 roadside bomb attack in the province.
This year, Turkey initiated Operations Eren, named after Eren Bulbul, a 15-year-old boy killed by the terrorist group on Aug. 11, 2017.
The latest action is aimed at eliminating PKK terrorists hiding out in the region.
In its more than 35-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 at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.
Source: Anadolu Agency