Turkish soldier killed in northern Iraq terror attack

By Merve Berker

ANKARA (AA) – A Turkish soldier was killed in a terrorist attack in northern Iraq, authorities said on Thursday.

Air Defense Non-Commissioned Sr. Sgt. Okan Meteoz was injured in a bomb blast in Türkiye’s Operation Claw-Lock zone, according to the National Defense Ministry.

PKK terrorists placed the improvised explosive device in an area where Turkish forces are engaged in anti-terror operations.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital but his injuries proved fatal.

The ministry expressed condolences to the soldier’s family, the Turkish Armed Forces, and the nation.

Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock in April to target the PKK terror group’s hideouts in Iraq’s northern 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.

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.