In December, the Turkish authorities declared a curfew in a number of southeastern regions where armed clashes between Ankara forces and PKK fighters continue.
"Fifteen members of the separatist terrorist organization (PKK) were killed in Cizre [town in Sirnak Province], from the beginning of operations in the city — 352. One terrorist killed in Sur [district in Diyarbakir Province], from the operation’s onset – 103," the General Staff said in a statement.
Tensions in Turkey escalated in July 2015, after 33 Kurdish activists were killed in a suicide blast in Suruc and two Turkish policemen were later murdered by PKK, which led to Ankara's military campaign against the group.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said in his New Year’s statement that Turkish security forces had killed 3,100 PKK militants in 2015.
