Turkey Disables 1,140 Terrorists Throughout 2021, Including 11 Most Wanted Senior Figures

Illustration of the Syrian wing of the PKK terrorist group YPG. (Wikimedia Commons/Kurdishstruggle)

JAKARTA - Turkish troops succeeded in disabling a total of 1,140 terrorists, including members of the PKK/KCK, Daesh/ISIS and leftist groups, in a nationwide operation throughout 2021, the country's official said.

Deputy Interior Minister Ismail Catakli told a news conference in the capital Ankara that Turkey was carrying out an anti-terror operation as well as efforts to deal with irregular migration.

The number includes 84 senior figures, 11 of whom are on the red list, two on the blue, five green, 24 orange and 35 in the gray category on the ministry's wanted list.

For information, red status is the most sought after, followed by blue, green, orange and gray.

"In 2021, Turkish security forces carried out 143,321 anti-terror operations, 124,159 in rural areas and 19,162 in urban areas," he explained citing Yenisafak Jan. 5.

"There are still less than 156 PKK terrorists left in mountainous areas," continued Catakli.

He further explained that the security forces managed to persuade 200 terrorists to surrender their weapons and surrender last year. Meanwhile, only 51 people joined the terror group.

"Troops destroyed 1,548 caves, shelters and hideouts used by the PKK, and seized 1,005 weapons, including rockets, mortars and rocket launchers, hand grenades, as well as mines and improvised explosive devices," the minister said.

To note, the Turkish authorities use the word 'disabled' in the statement to imply the terrorist member concerned surrendered or was killed or captured.

While referring to the fight against illegal migration, he said 162,996 irregular migrants and 7,918 facilitators were held last year. A total of 19,695 people were also rescued by the Turkish Coast Guard Command, Catakli added.