SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region – Turkey’s Minister of Interior, Ali Yerlikaya, announced on Saturday the arrest of 222 individuals suspected of links with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) following a large-scale operation across 36 provinces.
Yerlikaya stated that the operation targeted individuals believed to be preparing to join the PKK’s rural armed cadres. The suspects are also accused of previous involvement with the organization, spreading PKK propaganda on social media, financing terrorism, and participating in courier and collaboration activities on behalf of the PKK.
Some were reportedly involved in the PKK’s European operations and had outstanding prison sentences.
The raids led to the seizure of unlicensed firearms, a significant amount of foreign currency and Turkish lira, as well as digital materials and organizational documents.
“I congratulate our heroic police officers who carried out the operations,” Yerlikaya said, adding, “May God protect them. Our nation’s prayers are with you.”
Turkey arrests 222 suspects linked to PKK in nationwide operation
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The PKK a Kurdish group founded in 1978 that has waged an armed insurgency against Turkey, seeking greater Kurdish autonomy and a broader concept of Greater Kurdistan. It is designated a “terrorist organization” by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.
