Heavy Blow to PKK: 661 Kilograms of Explosives Seized in Operations Organized in 11 Provinces
Another important step was taken in Turkey’s fight against terrorism. In large-scale operations carried out in 11 provinces and named “Gürz-25”, the terrorist organization PKK was dealt a major blow. During the operations, 37 caves, bunkers and shelters were destroyed, 661 kilograms of explosive material and many weapons and ammunition were seized. Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya shared the details of the operations with the public and announced the success of the security forces.
Simultaneous Operations in 11 Provinces
Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya, in a statement on his social media account, emphasized that the fight against the terrorist organization continues with determination. Minister Yerlikaya said, “In 11 provinces, caves and shelters prepared by terrorists to carry out actions in rural areas were destroyed. During the operations, 661 kilograms of explosive material and various weapons were seized,” he said.
The operations were carried out under the coordination of the Gendarmerie General Command Anti-Terrorism Department and Intelligence Directorate, with the support of Provincial Gendarmerie Commands in Şırnak, Mardin, Elazığ, Hatay, Muş, Siirt, Tunceli, Iğdır, Bingöl, Bitlis and Hakkari. Gendarmerie Special Operations (JÖH), Gendarmerie Commando, Security Ranger Teams, J-SİHAs and ATAK helicopters took active roles in the operations conducted in the rural areas of Beytüşşebap, Silopi, Uludere, Nusaybin, Ömerli, Dargeçit, Palu, Payas, Şenyayla, Pervari, Nazımiye, Iğdır Center, Yayladere, Mutki and Hakkari Center.
Seized Ammunition and Weapons
The variety of ammunition seized during Gürz-25 operations drew attention. In addition to 661 kilograms of explosive material, 4 M79 Heat Guided Anti-Tank Ammunition, 3 RPG-7 Rocket Launchers, 3 PKM machine guns, 4 Dragunov sniper rifles, 12 Kalashnikov rifles, 105 grenades and 78 rocket launcher ammunition were found. In addition, 25 artillery, mortar and grenade launcher ammunition and 14,67 ammunition of various calibers were seized.
Stating that the operations will continue 365 days a year, four seasons, day and night, Minister Yerlikaya said, “Our operations in the city and countryside will continue with determination. The separatist terrorist organization will not be able to hide in their lairs, their logistic areas will be destroyed,” he said. Yerlikaya also expressed his prayers and support for the security forces and said, “May no stone touch the feet of our heroic gendarmerie. The prayers of our nation are with you,” he said.
Big Blow to Terrorist Organization’s Logistics
One of the most important objectives of the operations was to prevent the terrorist organization’s logistics and action plans. The PKK’s shelters, bunkers and caves were identified and destroyed by the security forces. “We identified the lairs of the separatist terrorist organization one by one and destroyed them,” Yerlikaya said, emphasizing the impact of the operations. In particular, the destruction of logistical support areas aims to severely limit the organization’s mobility.
Full Support to Security Forces
Gendarmerie Special Operations (JÖH), Gendarmerie Commando and Security Ranger Teams worked in coordination with unmanned aerial vehicles and ATAK helicopters. The operations, supported both from the air and on the ground, aim to restore peace in the region. Minister Yerlikaya emphasized that the operations will continue uninterruptedly and Turkey will never let terrorism pass.
All security forces who contributed to the operations were fully equipped both on the ground and in the air. Yerlikaya stated that these operations are only a part of the fight against terrorism and that the fight against all threats that want to harm the integrity of the state and the nation will continue.
