Turkey
BINGOL, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s military has launched its largest operation against Kurdish guerrillas in the southeast, with 39,500 troops searching for 450 rebels, the Anatolia news agency reported today.
The soldiers have killed 35 insurgents since the beginning of the operation on April 23 in the provinces of Bingol, Tunceli, Elazig, Diyarbakir and Mus, the semi-official news agency reported.
The military typically steps up its fight against the guerrillas in spring, taking advantage of the milder weather.
The operation this year has been the biggest since the insurgency began in 1984, according to Anatolia.
About 37,000 people have died in Turkish-Kurdish clashes since the guerrillas began fighting for autonomy.
39,500 Turkish soldiers chase Kurdish rebels in Turkey
Published April 30, 1998
