Around 355 militants have been killed in that period alone, Erdogan also told in a speech to the Turkish armed forces' War Colleges.
Months of clashes have followed, making it one of the deadliest periods in 32 years of conflict between the Turkish state and Kurdish militia. If verified, the figure would suggest a major blow to PKK, which has been fighting for autonomy in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast region since 1984.
Ibrahim Kalin, Erdogan’s spokesman, stated on Monday that Turkey has also prevented potential attacks in recent weeks, including planned suicide bombings. Turkey has been hit by four bombings this year that have killed more than 80 people.
According to Reuters, it was not possible to independently verify the figures Erdogan announced. Also, Anadolu did not clarify whether the number of deaths included the casualties from Turkish Air Force strikes on PKK camps in northern Iraq.
In the past, Turkish military has estimated the PKK’s total fighting force at about 5.000 however analysts argue that PKK continues to attract new fighters in large numbers.
The People's Democratic Party (HDP), which is largely supported by Kurds, said some 500 civilians have also been killed since military operations have escalated in December in southeastern Turkey. According to Reuters, that figure has also not been independently verified.