Basbug said the PKK's operational ability has been sharply eroded. He
said PKK operations dropped from 6,446 in 1994 to 1,171 in 2008. Civilian
casualties in 2008 were reported at 42, in contrast to 992 in 1994.
"This means it is a big mistake to say that we got back to the 1990s in
the fight against terrorism," Basbug said.
Basbug said the PKK has been struggling to replace its dead fighters. He
said recruitment, mostly targeting teenagers, takes place in Iran, Syria,
Turkey and Western Europe.
"There is an impression that the majority of recruitments from Turkey
are from southeastern Anatolia," Basbug said. "But this is not true.
One-third of the organization is comprised of Syrians."
The chief of staff said the military has sought to foil the PKK in its
recruitment stage. He said the Kurdish insurgency group has been targeting
youngsters ages 14 through 18.
"If we can save them from the hands of the organization we will do a big
job," Basbug said. "Campaigns should be held to find jobs for unemployed
children."
