Turkish security forces on Tuesday launched a new operation against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the eastern province of TUnceli, two days after a bomb attack in Istanbul that left six people dead.
The Turkish Interior Ministry said in a statement that the operation ‘Eren Abluka-13’ involves the deployment of more than 880 members of the security forces with the aim of «eliminating terrorism».
He also stressed that «since the beginning of the operation, two caves and five hideouts have been found, one of which was used by the PKK as a hospital». He also confirmed the seizure of weapons, ammunition and medical equipment.
Interior Minister Suleiman Soylu said Monday that the suspected bomber who planted the explosive device on Istiklal Avenue has been arrested and pointed to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as responsible. He said the order came from Ain al Arab (Kobani), where the prominent Kurdish-Syrian militia People’s Protection Units (YPG) operates.
However the PKK disassociated itself from the attack. «We have nothing to do with this incident and it is well known to the public that we do not directly target civilians nor do we condone actions directed against civilians,» the People’s Defense Center Headquarters Command (HSM) said,» it noted. Likewise, the SDF, a coalition of militias whose main element is the YPG, also denied any connection with the attack.
The Turkish army has also launched military operations against the PKK and its allies in the semi-autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan (north) and northern Syria since the ceasefire between the government and the armed group was broken in July 2015.
