Update on PKK Violence (April 24-30, 2008)

UNCLAS ANKARA 000861 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV TU IZ SUBJECT: Update on PKK Violence (April 24-30, 2008) REF: ANKARA 778 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 April 24-30, 2008 reporting period, seven security officials died, including two in landmine explosions and the rest in clashes with the PKK. One of the two who were killed when they stepped on a landmine was a village guard. Three additional security personnel were injured, all in landmine explosions. The total number of security force casualties for the year through April 30, 2008 was 37 killed and 42 injured. ¶3. (U) During the same reporting period, three PKK terrorists were killed, two were captured, and nine surrendered. Of the two killed, one was found dead in Nusaybin, Mardin Province on April 28. According to official TGS website figures, through the fourth week of April, the number of PKK militants killed this year was 316, the number of those captured was 86, and the number of those who surrendered was 58. ¶4. (U) A civilian vehicle was damaged when a PKK-set explosive detonated April 26 in Guclukonak, Sirnak Province. No one was injured. The total number of civilian casualties for the year through the end of the fourth week of April was 11 killed, with another 52 wounded. WILSON