End of PKK activity in Turkey 'near', premier says

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Friday the end of PKK terror group's activities inside Turkey was “very near”.

Speaking at an event at the Gendarmerie General Command in capital Ankara, Yildirim said: “We can easily say this: There is no possibility for the PKK terrorist organization to recover.

“The end of the terrorist organization's activities inside Turkey is very near.”

The premier said Turkish security forces would spare no effort in destroying the terrorists.

He also acknowledged that some innocent people could get defamed by the PKK.

"Unfortunately, since the organization [PKK] does not have any sacred values.... it can defame innocent people as group members. We are aware of this."      

He said the Turkish security forces’ fight against PKK terrorism last year had turned into an "epic" struggle.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU.

In its more than three-decade terror campaign against Turkey, more than 40,000 people, including women and children have been killed.

Since the group resumed its armed campaign in July 2015, more than 1,200 people, including security force personnel and civilians, have lost their lives.

Yildirim also said the number of projects overseen by the defence sector had increased to 553 from 66.

“The total value of these projects amounted to over $60 billion.”   

The annual turnover of the Turkish defense industry topped $6 billion in recent years from $1 billion, he added.

Yildirim said three out of 100 leading defense companies in the world were Turkish companies, adding that the country should become self-sufficient in the sector.