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

UNCLAS ANKARA 001277 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV TU IZ SUBJECT: Update on PKK Violence (August 16-23, 2009) REF: ANKARA 1222 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 August 16-23, 2009, two security officials were injured due to PKK IEDs in the Hakkari and Tunceli provinces on August 21 and 22. The total number of security force casualties for the year through August 23, was 37 killed and 72 injured. ¶3. (U) During the same period, one PKKer was captured in the Adana province on August 16, and six PKKers surrendered in the Hakkari, Sirnak and Van provinces on August 16, 19, 21 and 23. According to official TGS website figures, through the third week of August the number of PKK militants killed and injured this year was 36, the number of those captured was 41, and the number of those who surrendered was 84. ¶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 third week of August, was 10 killed and 22 wounded. SILLIMAN