Turkish soldier killed in clash with terrorists in northern Iraq

By Merve Berker

ANKARA (AA) - A Turkish soldier was killed in a clash with terrorists in northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry said on Friday.

Soldier Serkan Erkus was killed in the Operation Claw-Lock zone, the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry extended condolences to the soldier’s family, the Turkish armed forces, and the nation.

Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock in April to target the PKK terror organization's hideouts in Iraq's northern Metina, Zap, and Avasin-Basyan regions near the Turkish border.

It was preceded by Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle 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 more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.