ANKARA, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish Defense Ministry said Thursday its forces have killed 26 Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria in the past week, despite the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)'s declaration of a ceasefire with Türkiye over the weekend.

A total of 478 "terrorists" have been "neutralized" in counterterrorism operations since January, Defense Ministry Spokesperson Zeki Akturk said at a weekly press briefing, adding that "the Turkish Armed Forces will continue its operations in the region with determination and perseverance until not a single terrorist remains."

Also on Thursday, Turkish semi-official Anadolu Agency, citing anonymous sources, said the Defense Ministry urged all PKK-affiliated groups to lay down arms immediately. The sources added the PKK's ceasefire declaration is intended to create confusion.

Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the "terrorists" in question have either surrendered, been killed, or been captured.

The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has waged a rebellion against the Turkish government for more than three decades.

Türkiye has been conducting cross-border operations in Iraq and Syria to target the hideouts of the PKK and the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which Türkiye sees as the PKK's Syrian branch.

Last week, the PKK declared a ceasefire with Türkiye after its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan called on all PKK-affiliated groups to lay down their arms and the PKK to dissolve itself. The local NTV broadcaster reported Saturday that the PKK Executive Committee issued a statement announcing that none of its forces would carry out armed actions unless attacked.

Later that day, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to resume military operations against the PKK if it fails to fulfill its promises.

Meanwhile, the YPG has stated that Ocalan's call does not pertain to its members. Enditem

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