PKK terrorists killed as they prepare attack on Turkey

A total of eight PKK terrorists were killed in anti-terror operations carried out in the rural areas of Turkey's southeastern Diyarbakır province and northern Iraq's Qandil region, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) said Thursday in a written statement.

Two PKK terrorists were killed in ongoing anti-terror operations in Turkey's southeastern Diyarbakır province, which continued early Thursday.

The air-supported operations were launched against identified PKK terrorists, who were believed to be preparing an armed attack against Turkish units, the statement elaborated.

A cave, an arsenal and a shelter used by the terrorist group were destroyed during the airstrikes in Diyarbakır's Lice district, the statement added.

Two other PKK terrorists were killed and one was captured alive during Wednesday's operations in the same region, where five Turkish soldiers were injured during clashes.

The injured soldiers were immediately brought to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, where three of them succumbed to wounds.

Meanwhile, six PKK terrorists were killed in airstrikes carried out in the northern Iraqi regions of Avaşin-Basyan after receiving immediate intelligence.

An anti-aircraft weapon position belonging to the terrorist group was also destroyed, the statement added.

Founded in 1978, the PKK has waged a decades-long bloody campaign against Turkey.

The PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU, resumed its armed campaign in July 2015 after a brief reconciliation period.

Since that time, the PKK has been responsible for the deaths of some 1,200 security personnel and civilians, including women and children, while more than 4,000 security personnel and over 2,000 civilians have been injured.