Turkish forces strike down 5 PKK terrorists across Iraq, Syria

Turkish security forces have eliminated five terrorists in operations conducted in northern Iraq and Syria, announced the National Defense Ministry Sunday.

“2 PKK terrorists were detected in the Qandil region of northern Iraq, while three PKK/YPG terrorists were eliminated in the Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch regions of northern Syria by the Turkish Armed Forces,” according to the ministry.

The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S., and the EU, has been responsible for over 40,000 deaths in Türkiye during its nearly 40-year-long terror campaign, which has tragically included women, children and infants among its victims.

The YPG is recognized as the Syrian offshoot of the PKK.

Since 2016, Ankara has launched three successful anti-terror operations across its border into northern Syria to thwart the establishment of a terror corridor and facilitate the peaceful resettlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018) and Peace Spring (2019).