Update on PKK Violence (July 24-31, 2009)

UNCLAS ANKARA 001127 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV TU IZ SUBJECT: Update on PKK Violence (July 24-31, 2009) REF: ANKARA 1085 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 24-31, 2009, three security officials were injured in clashes in the Hakkari province on July 24. The total number of security force casualties for the year through July 31, was 35 killed and 67 injured. ¶3. (U) During the same period, one PKKer was captured in the Sirnak province on July 31, and three PKKers surrendered, including one in the Hakkari and two in the Sirnak provinces on July 29 and 30. According to official TGS website figures, through the fourth week of July, the number of PKK militants killed this year was 33, the number of those captured was 35, and the number of those who surrendered was 73. ¶4. (U) During the reporting period no civilian was killed or injured. The total number of civilian casualties for the year through the end of the fourth week of July, was 10 killed and 21 wounded. JEFFREY