Turkish security forces kill 15 terrorists in southeastern Turkey

SIRNAK (A.A) - February 14, 2012 - Turkish security teams killed 15 terrorists in southeastern province of Sirnak, governor's office said on Tuesday. The statement said that security forces staged a large-scaled operation in Sirnak-Bestler region and found two hideouts belonging to terrorist organization. A clash broke out after terrorists refused to surrender and 15 terrorists were killed in the operation, it said. Two soldiers died in the clash, the statement added. Turkey's southeast is used by PKK terrorists to illegally sneak into Turkey to stage terrorist attacks. Since 1984, PKK's terrorist acts resulted in the death of more than 30,000 Turkish citizens, among whom were innocent civilians, teachers and other public servants, many deliberately murdered, and large amount of economic loss. In its history, the terrorist organization also employed suicide-bombing methods, waged mainly by women terrorists in Turkey; and kidnapped foreign tourists in southeastern Anatolia in the early 1990s. In order to damage Turkey's economy, the organization also set forests in Turkey's tourist resorts on fire. The PKK is designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the European Union and the United States.