Turkish military says works on institutional buildup continue

"Our views were discussed during an anti-terror board meeting. The works still continue," TDN reported Brigadier General Metin Gürak as saying, during a weekly press briefing held at the General Staff headquarters.

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The Turkish military has recommended putting in place an institutional restructuring of security institutions to coordinate intelligence between civilian and military security organs, the report said adding that creating a special unit under the direction of the Interior Ministry to coordinate anti-terror efforts is also being contemplated.

 

17 terrorists were killed within the last week, Gurak also said and confirmed that an additional 25 terrorists were killed Oct. 17 in an air raid on the outlawed PKK organization base in the Qandil mountains.

 

Security forces successfully detonated 11 of 15 bombs discovered during the last week, Gürak said and seven terrorists surrendered during this period.

 

"Surrendered terrorists were between ages 17 and 19, which is why I restate my call to parents. It is imperative that families rescue their children from the hands of the terrorist organization before it is too late."

 

He also urged responsible behavior and warned against provocations, commenting on the recent street violence in Diyarbakır sparked by rumors that jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan has been mistreated.

 

Gürak added that a briefing on the Turkish Armed Forces' internal security operation would be delivered to the Council of Ministers on Oct. 27.