Türkiye eliminates 13 PKK terrorists in N.Iraq, Syria

The Turkish Armed Forces eliminated 13 PKK/YPG terrorists in operations conducted in northern Iraq and Syria, Türkiye’s National Defense Ministry announced Tuesday.

According to the ministry, “The Turkish Armed Forces eliminated 10 PKK terrorists identified in the Operation Claw and Operation Claw-Lock zones in northern Iraq, and three PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Syria within the Olive Branch operation area.”

The ministry added the Turkish Armed Forces continue to target and destroy terrorist hideouts.

In 2022, Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock to eliminate PKK hideouts in northern Iraq’s Metina, Zap and Avasin-Basyan regions.

These areas near the Turkish border are used by the PKK to plan and execute attacks against Türkiye and local populations in northern Syria.

Since 2016, Ankara has conducted several successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the establishment of a terror corridor and facilitate the safe return of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

The PKK, recognized as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S., and the EU, has been responsible for over 40,000 deaths in its nearly four-decade-long terror campaign against Türkiye, including women, children, and infants.

The YPG is recognized as the PKK’s Syrian branch.