Turkish forces ‘neutralize’ 6 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq

By Baris Gundogan and Burcu Calik Gocumlu

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces "neutralized" at least six PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, said the National Defense Ministry on Friday.

"A total of six PKK terrorists who martyred our heroic comrade in arms Petty Officer Second Class Emre Sevinc in the Operation Claw-Lock region were neutralized by Turkish soldiers before they could escape from the area where they carried out the attack," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry conveyed condolences to the soldier’s family, the Turkish Armed Forces, and the Turkish people.

Turkish authorities use the term "neutralize" to indicate the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.

Ankara launched Operation Claw-Lock in April to target the PKK terror organization's hideouts in northern Iraq's 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 out 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 over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.