Turkey launches a new operation against the PKK in the east of the country after the attack in Istanbul

November 15 (EUROPA PRESS) –

Turkish security forces launched a new operation on Tuesday against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the province of Tunceli, located in the east of the country, two days after the bomb attack in Istanbul, which left six dead.

The Turkish Ministry of the Interior has indicated in a statement that the operation ‘Eren Abluka-13’ has the deployment of more than 880 members of the security forces with the aim of “eliminating terrorism”.

Likewise, he 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.” On the other hand, he has confirmed the seizure of weapons, ammunition and medical supplies.

Interior Minister Suleiman Soylu said on Monday that the suspect of planting the explosive device on Istiklal Avenue has been arrested and pointed to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as responsible. Thus, he said, the order came from Ain al Arab (Kobani), where the prominent Syrian Kurdish 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 attack civilians or condone actions directed against civilians,” the People’s Defense Center (HSM) Headquarters Command said. The FDS, a coalition of militias whose main element is the YPG, also denied any relationship 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.