Turkey ‘resolutely’ continues operation in N. Iraq

By Ethem Geylan and Sarp Ozer

ISTANBUL / ANKARA (AA) - The Operation Claw in northern Iraq against the PKK terrorist organization “resolutely” continues, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

“Operation Claw continues. There is no slightest deviation. The operation continues resolutely," Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul.

The Turkish Armed Forces launched Operation Claw against the PKK terror group on May 27.

Earlier, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that Turkish security forces neutralized a total of 64 terrorists since May 27 both at home and in northern Iraq.

Akar said a total of 28 terrorists were neutralized as part of Operation Claw, 25 others during air operations in northern Iraq, and 11 terrorists across Turkey.

Authorities often use “neutralized" in statements to imply terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including many women and children.

* Writing by Gozde Bayar