Turkish soldier killed in northern Iraq anti-terror operation

By Yusuf Soykan

ANKARA (AA) - A Turkish soldier was killed during an anti-terror operation in northern Iraq, Turkiye’s National Defense Ministry said Saturday.

Kubilay Con, an infantry specialist sergeant, was killed in clashes with terrorists during Turkiye’s recently launched cross-border Operation Claw-Lock, the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry extended condolences to Con’s family and wished them strength and patience to bear the loss.

Turkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock earlier this week to target PKK hideouts in Iraq’s Metina, Zap and Avasin-Basyan areas.

That was preceded by Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle, which were launched in 2020 to root out terrorists who hide in northern Iraq and plot cross-border attacks in Turkiye.

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.