UPDATE 2 - 26 PKK/YPG terrorists neutralized within, beyond Türkiye’s borders

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS ON OPERATIONS, DEATH TOLL; CHANGES HEADLINE, BYLINE, LEDE, MINOR EDITS

By Ahmet Gencturk and Merve Berker

ANKARA (AA) – Türkiye "neutralized" 26 PKK/YPG terrorists within and beyond the country’s borders, sources and officials said on Sunday.

In two separate drone strikes carried out by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) in northern Syria, at least five terrorists, including senior operative Mehmet Gurbuz who was wanted with a red notice, were “neutralized,” said the sources, requesting anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

In another successful operation, two of the three terrorists cornered by police special forces were neutralized in the Yuksekova district of Türkiye's Hakkari province, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu tweeted.

Another terrorist, who was trying to escape from the scene, was held, he added.

Meanwhile, the National Defense Ministry said in a statement that seven more terrorists were "neutralized" in operations Claw-Lock and Claw-Tiger zones in northern Iraq.

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

It was initiated after Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle to root out terrorists hiding in northern Iraq and plotting cross-border attacks in Türkiye.

Separately, Turkish forces targeted 12 PKK terrorists in Türkiye's southern regions of Sanliurfa and Suruc in an anti-terror operation, the ministry said.

Unfortunately, during the operation, Turkish soldier Ismet Aybek was killed, while another got injured.

The ministry expressed condolences to Aybek’s family, Turkish forces and the nation, and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded personnel.

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

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 over 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is PKK’s Syrian offshoot.