Turkish army says 124 terrorists desert the PKK over 17 days

Six PKK terrorists were killed in clashes with Turkish security forces that took place last week, General Metin Gurak, the head of the General Staff press department, told a press briefing in Ankara.

He added four terrorists surrendered to security forces in the same period.

Gurak said the military was trying to confirm losses suffered by the terrorists in these operations.

He also said Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, together with six ministers, would be given a guided tour to the commando school in Egirdir. Ministers would be given a briefing about the training of officers, non-commissioned officers, special sergeants and private soldiers, the Anatolian Agency quoted Gurak as saying.

Turkey, provided with intelligence by the United States, has stepped up its campaign to crackdown on the PKK both inside Turkey and in northern Iraq, after the terror organization increased its attacks on Turkish soldiers, as well as civilians.Â