Update on PKK Violence (July 16-23, 2009)

UNCLAS ANKARA 001085 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV TU IZ SUBJECT: Update on PKK Violence (July 16-23, 2009) REF: ANKARA 1024 and previous ¶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 July 16-23, 2009, one security official was killed when he stepped on a PKK IED in the Sirnak province on July 21. Two security officials were injured in clashes in the Hakkari province on July 18. The total number of security force casualties for the year through July 23, was 35 killed and 64 injured. ¶3. (U) During the same period, three PKKers were killed in clashes in the Hatay province on July 17. Four PKKers were captured in the Van, Hakkari, Istanbul and Elazig provinces between July 19 and 23. According to official TGS website figures, through the third week of July, the number of PKK militants killed this year was 33, the number of those captured was 34, and the number of those who surrendered was 70. ¶4. (U) During the reporting period one civilian was injured during clashes with the PKK in the Hakkari province on July 18. One civilian was kidnapped by the PKK in the Hakkari province on July ¶17. The total number of civilian casualties for the year through the end of the third week of July, was 10 killed and 21 wounded. JEFFREY