Turkish forces 'neutralize' 7 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish forces "neutralized" at least seven PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, the country's National Defense Ministry said on Monday.

The terrorists were "neutralized" in the Operation Claw-Lock region, the ministry said on Twitter.

Turkish authorities use the term "neutralize" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock in April to target PKK hideouts in northern Iraq's Metina, Zap, and Avasin-Basyan regions. It was preceded by Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle, which were launched in 2020 to root out terrorists hiding in northern Iraq and plotting cross-border attacks in Türkiye.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.