Turkish forces eliminate 94 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Iraq, Syria

Turkish security forces have eliminated 94 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Iraq and northern Syria over the past week, according to the National Defense Ministry.

Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk, the ministry’s spokesman, announced during a weekly news conference in Ankara that one of the eliminated terrorists was listed in the red category of the wanted list for terrorism.

This brings the total number of terrorists “neutralized” in northern Iraq and Syria since January 1 to 1,521, with 726 eliminated in northern Iraq and 795 in northern Syria.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S. and the EU, has been responsible for over 40,000 deaths in its nearly 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye.

The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.

395 illegal crossers

Akturk also reported that 395 people, including eight members of terrorist organizations, were apprehended while attempting to cross the border illegally over the past week, with 834 others prevented from crossing.

Since January 1, 2024, the number of people apprehended for illegal border crossings has risen to 7,102, and the number of those prevented from crossing has reached 66,059.

Greek pushbacks

In a separate incident on July 17, Turkish Naval Forces Command reconnaissance and surveillance activities with an unmanned aerial vehicle revealed that Greek coast guard units had pushed a boat carrying irregular migrants into Turkish territorial waters north of Lesbos.

The Turkish Coast Guard Command was informed, ensuring the migrants’ rescue.