Military intensifies operations after PKK attack in Southeast

Following the attack, special forces units were deployed to the Dağlıca region of Hakkari. Along with the commanders of the ground forces and gendarmerie, Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Ozel went to the region to assess the state of the operations. A statement from the office of the Hakkari governor says that helicopters have assisted ground troops in the hunt for terrorist groups as the military has intensified its operations in the mountainous area of the region to pound terrorist hideouts.

Four more terrorists were killed in clashes on Wednesday as one turned himself in to security forces in the region. A total of 24 PKK members have been killed since the attack on Tuesday.

Addressing the press after meeting with his German counterpart, Thomas de Maiziere, in Ankara on Wednesday, Turkey’s Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz said military operations have never been halted in the fight against terrorism.

In response to reporters’ questions, he reiterated the Turkish state’s determination to curb terrorist activities, saying that Turkey has never ceased the intensity of its military operations. Citing the recent attack, Maiziere offered his condolences to Turkey over the killing of eight soldiers in the southeastern province of Hakkari, stating that Germany stands by Turkey in fighting terrorism.

There has been sound cooperation between the Turkish and German armed forces, which can be bolstered, Yılmaz said.