KONYA (CIHAN) - The Iranian Deputy Interior Minister said that Iran has been carrying out military operations against PKK militants operating in Iran for Iran's own security and unity and not due to a cooperation agreement with Turkey.
Iranian Deputy Interior Minister Ali Asgar Ahmedi, visiting the Turkish city of Konya on Wednesday, told reporters that military operations against PKK militants in Iran are taking place not as because of an agreement with neighboring Turkey but because Iran sees the PKK as a threat to its unity and security.
The separatist Iranian Kurdish group, a PKK-Kongra-Gel affiliate named Pejak, is based in mountainous Northern Iraq and has recently infiltrated Iran to collect money from villagers at the border to help with their economic difficulties and to carry out their guerilla war against the Iranian government.
Eight Kurdish rebels, closely linked with the PKK operating in Turkey, were killed in a clash with Iranian security forces.
Turkey and Iran signed a security cooperation agreement two years ago regarding the fight against the PKK.
"Iran is a large country. We are fighting against the PKK to provide Iran's security and unity," Iranian Deputy Prime Minister said.
Recently Turkey has asked Iran to fight against the PKK militants that reportedly started to infiltrate Turkey through Iran.