UPDATE – 2 Turkish soldiers killed during anti-terror operation in northern Iraq

UPDATES WITH ANOTHER SOLDIER BEING KILLED, NEUTRALIZED TERRORISTS, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Merve Berker

ANKARA (AA) – Two Turkish soldiers were killed in northern Iraq where the Turkish army launched a military operation to rid the area of terror elements, the National Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

A total of three Turkish soldiers were injured due to harassing fire opened by PKK terrorists in the Operation Claw-Lock zone, the ministry said in a statement.

Infantry Specialist Sergeant Muhammed Mustafa Koca and Infantry Specialist Sergeant Omur Ertugrul Sari succumbed to their wounds at the hospital, the statement added.

The ministry conveyed condolences to the families of the soldiers, the Turkish Armed Forces and the nation.

In a separate incident, Turkish security forces “neutralized” two PKK terror members in the operation zone, the ministry said.

“We are determined to end terrorism and get rid of this curse,” the statement said, adding: “Our operations will go on until the very last terrorist is taken down.”

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

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