Turkish forces ‘neutralize’ 8 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, Syria

By Ali Murat Alhas

ANKARA (AA) – Turkish army “neutralized” three PKK terrorists in northern Iraq and five others in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

The Turkish Armed Forces targeted the terrorist in northern Iraq with fire support elements, the ministry said on Twitter, referring to the artilleries.

“Our fight against terrorism will continue with determination,” the statement added.

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

Turkiye has launched successive operations against the PKK in northern Iraq since 2020, most recently Operation Claw-Lock in April to target PKK hideouts in Iraq’s Metina region.

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 Turkiye.

In a separate statement, the ministry said five YPG/PKK terrorists were neutralized in northern Syria as they were preparing to target the regions cleared of terrorists with Turkiye’s counter-terrorism operations.

Since 2016, Ankara has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

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