Update on PKK Violence (May 16-23, 2008)

UNCLAS ANKARA 001002 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV TU IZ SUBJECT: Update on PKK Violence (May 16-23, 2008) REF: ANKARA 956 and previous (U) Sensitive but unclassified - please protect accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) This is another in a series of weekly reports on PKK violence in Turkey. Our primary source is the Turkish General Staff (TGS) website, which documents contacts and clashes with the PKK, as well as casualties incurred. ¶2. (U) During the May 16-23, 2008 reporting period, four security officials were killed, including one village guard, in clashes. During the same period four security officials, including one village guard, were injured in clashes. The total number of security force casualties for the year through May 23, 2008 was 48 killed and 52 injured. ¶3. (U) During the same period, two PKK terrorists were killed. Two PKKers were captured and another two surrendered. According to official TGS website figures, through the third week of May, the number of PKK militants killed this year was 489, the number of those captured was 94, and the number of those who surrendered was ¶63. ¶4. (U) No civilians were killed or injured this week. The total number of civilian casualties for the year through the end of the third week of May was 16 killed, with another 58 wounded. WILSON