Turkish Forces Neutralized 27 Terrorists Across Turkey Over Past Week

14 terrorists were eliminated, while 13 others surrendered between July 31 and August 7 in Turkey, according to the statement of the Turkish Interior Ministry.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Turkish security forces neutralized at least 27 terrorists across the country over the past week, local media reported Monday, citing the Turkish Interior Ministry.

According to the ministry information, cited by the Anadolu news agency, 14 terrorists were eliminated, while 13 others surrendered between July 31 and August 7.

The Turkish security forces carried out 1,518 counterterrorism operations during this period of time, and arrested 150 individuals for aiding the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), listed by Ankara as a terrorist organization.

In addition, at least 74 individuals were arrested under suspicion of having ties to the Daesh terrorist group, while 448 others on suspicion of ties to the movement of Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, referred to as the Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organization (FETO) by Ankara.

The tensions between Turkey and Kurdish militant groups seeking independence escalated in July 2015, leading to frequent acts of terror by the PKK and regular anti-PKK operations by the Turkish government.

The Turkish security forces have been conducting counterterrorism operations against the PKK and the Daesh terror group on a regular basis. The operations also target the FETO, as Ankara accused Gulen of being behind the July 2016 failed military coup in Turkey.