Turkey continues to fight against terrorism

Throughout 2016, Turkey endured a slew of major attacks by the terrorist organizations PKK and Daesh.

Turkish authorities have been on high alert, launching 37,310 military operations across the country to prevent terrorist attacks and neutralize terrorists. In 2016 alone, Turkey neutralized 20,636 terrorists. The neutralized terrorists hailed from separatist terror groups (PKK/KCK/TAK), left-wing terror groups (such as DHKP/C, TKP/ML, MLKP) and religious extremist groups (Daesh, El Nusra and Al-Qaeda).

As a result of the preventative actions of authorities, 492 terror attacks were prevented. Turkey's anti-terror efforts have yielded significant results. Despite the comprehensive efforts of authorities, not every attack can be stopped.

A suicide attack near Hagia Sophia, Istanbul's historic district of Sultanahmet, claimed the lives of 12 victims and left 14 wounded on January 12.

A military convoy was attacked on February 17 in the capital of Ankara by the TAK, a splinter terrorist organization of the PKK. The attack was launched close to military headquarters.

Just one day later, a roadside bomb in Diyarbakır, martyred six soldiers and wounded one soldier. The HPG, a branch of the PKK, claimed responsibility for the attack.

On March 13, TAK claimed responsibility for a car bomb that exploded near a busy transit hub near a park and office buildings in Ankara.

One of Istanbul's most lively streets, Istiklal Avenue, was struck by a suicide bomber on March 19 that killed five and wounded 36 victims. Turkish officials said Daesh was responsible for the attack.

A car bomb at a bus terminal in Diyarbakır killed seven and wounded 20 victims on March 31. The PKK claimed responsibility for the attack.

Bursa was attacked by a female suicide bomber on April 27, who detonated herself near the Grand Mosque. The mosque is a prominent landmark in Bursa's city center.

An unclaimed attack on in Gaziantep on May 1 killed two and injured 23 victims when terrorists opened fire on police headquartes and detonated a vehicle loaded with explosives as police engaged in a pursuit. Turkish officials have said that Daesh is responsible.

Yet another bomb explosion killed 16 people and wounded 23 in Diyarbakir. The HPG claimed responsibility for the truck bomb attack that took place on May 12.

The Kurdistan Free Falcons (TAK), the PKK terrorist group's wing of suicide bombers, claimed responsibility for a car bomb on June 7 that seemed to target a bus carrying riot police. The attack, which occurred near Istanbul's popular Grand Bazaar, killed 11 and injured dozens of victims.

One of the biggest attacks of the year was at Ataturk Airport, where three terrorists opened fire and then detonated explosives on June 28. More than 230 people were wounded, and 45 were killed in the attack.

A suicide bomber believed to be between the ages of 12-14 laucnhed an attack on a wedding on August 20. The attack killed 57 victims, half of whom were children, and wounded 66. Turkish officials believe Daesh was behind the attack.

A motorcycle bomb targeting a local police station detonated early, injuring 10 civilians on October 6 in Istanbul. The PKK claimed responsibility.

On October 9, HPG suicide bomber bombed the Şemdinli military base in southeastern Turkey with a pick-up truck carrying explosives. Eighteen victims were martyred and 27 were injured in the attack.

A double bombing carried out by the Kurdistan Free Falcons (TAK), the PKK terrorist group's wing of suicide bombers, in Istanbul's Beşiktaş district killed 46 and injured 166 people. The attack, which occured on December 10, targeted riot police.

Just one week after the Beşiktaş attack, a car bomb killed 13 off-duty soldiers and wounded 55. The PKK were behind the attack.

On New Year's Eve, a Daesh gunman killed 39 victims and injured 65 at the Reina nightclub in the Ortaköy district of Istanbul.

Following the terror attack on New Year's Eve, Turkish officials have said that law enforcement agencies are continuing to work around the clock against terrorism.