UPDATE - Turkish forces 'neutralize' 18 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Iraq, Syria

UPDATES WITH NEW OPERATION; CHANGES HEADLINE , DECK, LEDE

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish forces "neutralized" at least 18 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Iraq, the country's National Defense Ministry said on Monday.

Seven terrorists were "neutralized" in the Operation Claw-Lock region in northern Iraq, the ministry said on Twitter.

Later, the ministry announced that 11 YPG/PKK terrorists were neutralized in northern Syria.

The terrorists were planning to attack Türkiye’s Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch areas, it said on Twitter.

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

Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock in April to target PKK hideouts in northern Iraq's Metina, Zap, and Avasin-Basyan regions. It was preceded by Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle, which were 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 at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.