The Kurdish rebel group, the PKK, says it is ready to intensify its fight against Turkey after a string of recent government raids. PKK leader, Cemil Bayik, announced the threat in a BBC interview on Monday.

Turkish government forces have been waging a blistering military campaign against the PKK in recent months. Bayik blamed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the escalation in violence -- and promised that the Kurds will defend themselves to the end.

Ankara claims Turkish security forces have killed over 5,000 PKK rebels in response to terrorist attacks.