Turkish warplanes hit 12 PKK targets in northern Iraq

By Ilhan Toprak

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish warplanes destroyed 12 PKK terrorist targets in northern Iraq on Monday night, a military source said Tuesday.

The airstrikes took place in the country’s Zap region between 6 p.m. (1500GMT) and 6.30 p.m. (1530GMT), which destroyed several shelters, bunkers and weapon emplacement of the terror group, the source, who spoke anonymously due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU. It resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July last year against the Turkish state.

Over 1,100 people, including security personnel and civilians, have lost their lives in PKK attacks in Turkey since the terrorist organization resumed its decades-old campaign in July 2015.

Since July 2015, PKK attacks have left 793 security personnel martyred and 314 civilians, including women and children dead. Over 4,000 security personnel and over 2,000 civilians have been injured. Also, more than 10,000 PKK terrorists have been killed or apprehended in anti-terror operations. Around 5,500 weapons, 652,000 rounds of ammunition, over 142 tons of explosives and 15,000 bombs have been seized.