Turkey: Nine TKP/ML and PKK members “neutralized” August 6

Event

Turkey's Interior Ministry announced on Monday, August 6, that nine alleged terrorists had been "neutralized" in two separate incidents in Tunceli and Bing­öl provinces. Authorities report that an anti-terror operation conducted in Ovacik district (Tunceli province) on Monday had neutralized six individuals, including one high-value target associated with the Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist-Leninist (TKP/ML). In a separate incident on Monday, August 6, at least three Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) members were neutralized in Dallitepe (Bingol province). Further anti-terror operations are possible in the coming days.

Context

Turkish authorities regularly use the term "neutralized" to indicate that terrorists were either killed or captured.

The general security situation in Turkey remains precarious due to an extant heightened risk of terrorism. The country has been a target of multiple attacks perpetrated by Islamic State (IS) and the PKK, which have prompted Turkish police to carry out an increasing number of counterterrorism raids in recent months.

Advice

Due to the risk of terrorism, individuals in Turkey should maintain a high degree of vigilance, report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities, and be particularly cautious when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted in an attack (e.g. public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, festivals, high-profile hotels and restaurants, etc.).