Minister: Turkish Armed Forces never use chemical weapons against PKK militants

Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 11 / Trend, A.Taghiyeva / The Turkish Armed Forces have never used chemical weapons in the operations against militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Turkish Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz was quoted today by Anadolu agency as saying. The minister said that the Turkish Armed Forces do not have chemical weapons. They even do not intend to buy it. Turkish army resumed military operations against them PKK militants after they became active. Over 10 months Turkish security forces have rendered harmless 716 PKK militants, including 496 terrorists have been killed, 21 were wounded, 44 were arrested and 155 surrendered to the authorities. During this period, the security forces have held six large-scale and 19 local operations against militants. The conflict between Turkey and the PKK requiring creation of an independent Kurdish state, continues for more than 25 years, and has claimed more than 40,000 lives. PKK is recognized as a terrorist organization by the UN and the European Union. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az