Top Turkish soldier likens anti-PKK fight to do-or-die struggle

The security forces' fight against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is a "do-or-die" struggle, the commander of Turkey's gendarmerie forces has said, discussing ongoing operations in the Çukurca district of Hakkari province. 

"Çukurca has been fully cleared of PKK members. They have been fully removed from Kaletepe region, a key point for the PKK to infiltrate into Turkey from northern Iraq and to prepare terrorist acts," Gen. Yaşar Güler told reporters on Sept. 8. 

Last week, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) launched a major operation into Çukurca, which the PKK has used as a key base for attacks within Turkey. At least 157 PKK militants have been killed in clashes in Çukurca while the security forces have also sustained significant casualties. 

Güler said there are 12 other key spots in the east and southeast to be cleared of PKK militants.
 
"All critical locations in [the provinces of] Kars, Bingöl, Diyarbakır, Şırnak and Ağrı will be cleared of terrorists within a certain time period," he vowed. 

Responding to a question on reports that Turkey and the United States could carry out a joint operation to liberate Raqqa from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Gen. Güler said any such move "should be very well assessed."
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