Erdogan: Turkey has launched the largest operation in its history against the Kurds

On Thursday, September 8, the President of Turkey announced that the country has begun its largest operation in history against Kurdish militants in southeastern Turkey. At the same time, it has been reported that over 10,000 teachers have been suspended from work on charges of connections with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). According to Reuters, Recep Tayyip Erdogan also stated that the removal of civil servants linked to Kurdish militants is a significant part of this battle. In a speech delivered to governors, he mentioned that steps have been taken to cleanse PKK supporters from government institutions. He emphasized that the Turkish army's operations in northern Iraq will also continue. Meanwhile, AFP reported, citing an unnamed Turkish official, that over 10,000 teachers have been temporarily suspended due to alleged connections with the PKK. This action comes just one week before the start of the school year in Turkey. The official stated, "The individuals in question have been temporarily suspended and placed on paid leave while official investigations are conducted regarding them." The report indicates that approximately 11,500 teachers have been accused by the Turkish Ministry of Education of participating in activities suspected of supporting this "separatist terrorist organization and its affiliates." The PKK, which has been fighting against the Turkish central government for over three decades, is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies. The number of suspended teachers is expected to reach 14,000. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced this news on Sunday during his visit to the predominantly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir in southeastern Turkey. Over 850,000 teachers are employed in Turkey's educational institutions. The conflict between Kurdish militants and the Turkish army resumed last year after a fragile ceasefire between the two sides ended. The Turkish government's recent decision to cleanse teachers accused of connections with the PKK comes after tens of thousands of education sector employees, including teachers and academics, were purged following the failed coup attempt on July 15 in the country, accused of supporting Fethullah Gülen, a religious cleric. Ankara has repeatedly accused Gülen of planning and organizing the coup against Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Gülen has denied these accusations, calling them fabricated. Since the beginning of the PKK's armed activities in 1984, tens of thousands have been killed. The PKK seeks to establish an independent Kurdish state in southeastern Turkey.