Update on PKK Violence (June 8-15, 2008)

UNCLAS ANKARA 001126 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV TU IZ SUBJECT: Update on PKK Violence (June 8-15, 2008) REF: ANKARA 1065 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 June 8-15, 2008 reporting period, two security officials were killed, including one by an IED and another a landmine. During the same period 11 security officials were injured, including three in clashes and the rest in explosions. The total number of security forces casualties for the year through June 15, 2008, was 51 killed and 71 injured. ¶3. (U) During the same period, three PKK terrorists were killed in clashes. Three PKKers were captured and two surrendered. According to official TGS website figures, through the second week of June, the number of PKK militants killed this year was 495, the number of those captured was 100, and the number of those who surrendered was ¶69. ¶4. (U) Four civilians were injured during the second week of June. Three were train personnel who were injured when a PKK explosive derailed four cars of the Elazig-Tatvan train in Pervari, Siirt on June 14. Another civilian was injured because of a PKK IED in Pervari Siirt on June 15. The total number of civilian casualties for the year through the end of the second week of June was 17 killed, with another 65 wounded. WILSON