As of 2021, the Verfassungsschutz estimates that there are 28.650 members in foreign extremist/terrorist organizations, with the PKK alone having 14.500 members, more than any other single terrorist/extremist organization listed in the report.
In its fight against PKK Turkey’s intelligence agency and security forces carried a joint strategy of directly targeting PKK’s leadership to stir fear and psychological pressure in its ranks and followers.
With the help of its nationally-produced drone technology, Turkey’s counterterrorism campaign has since 2015 brought about a significant decrease in PKK attacks, disrupted the PKK’s ability to recruit new members, and caused command and control problems within the terrorist organization.