Government forces killed 13 PKK members

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ANKARA, Turkey, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- A two-day operation by Turkish security forces killed 13 members of the Kurdistan Workers Party in the Amanos Mountains, officials said.

Five members of the terrorist organization were captured during the fighting that took place in the Osmaniye province region, Today's Zaman reported Wednesday.

Nearly 1,000 security forces, including special operations police and commandos, participated in the operation.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, has been fighting for an independent Kurdish in Southeast Turkey since 1984.

As many as 40,000 people have been killed in clashes with the group.