UPDATE 2 - Turkish intelligence 'neutralizes' senior PKK terrorist in northern Iraq

UPDATES WITH MORE PKK TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED IN NORTHERN SYRIA, ADDS MORE BACKGROUND; REVISES DECK

By Kemal Karadag and Merve Berker

ANKARA (AA) – Turkish intelligence forces have “neutralized” a so-called senior member of the PKK terror group in northern Iraq, security sources said on Tuesday.

Azad Yandi, codenamed Soro Amed, was among seven terrorists neutralized in an operation by Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) in Iraq’s Gara region, said the sources, requesting anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Yandi was said to be in charge of logistics for the terror group in Gara, the sources added.

PKK terrorists often hide out in northern Iraq and plot terror attacks in Türkiye, across the border.

Meanwhile, the Turkish military neutralized seven YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria as they attempted to attack and infiltrate Türkiye’s southeastern border through the Mardin province, the National Defense Ministry said.

Additionally, seven more PKK/YPG terrorists were targeted by Turkish soldiers in the Operation Peace Spring and Operation Euphrates Shield zones in northern Syria, near the Turkish border, the ministry stated.

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

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 Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, UK and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.

* Seda Sevencan in Istanbul contributed to this story