Turkish soldier martyred in northern Iraq

By Baris Gundogan

ANKARA (AA) – One Turkish soldier was martyred in the area of Operation Claw-Tiger in northern Iraq, Turkey's National Defense Ministry said on Friday.

In a statement, the ministry said that the soldier had been wounded in a clash with terrorists on Friday and later succumbed to his injuries in a hospital.

The affiliation of the terrorists was not given, but the operation was launched against the terrorist PKK, which often uses northern Iraq to plot cross-border attacks on Turkey.

National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar expressed his condolences on the ministry’s Twitter account, sharing a photo of Turkish infantryman Omer Kahya.

Earlier on Friday, the ministry said that the Turkish army had neutralized four terrorists as part of Operation Claw-Tiger.

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

Turkey’s Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle were launched this week to ensure the safety of the Turkish people and borders by neutralizing the threat of the PKK and other terrorist groups.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the European Union – has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.