Counterterrorism operations in northern Iraq and eastern Turkey eliminated seven PKK terrorists, Turkish authorities declared on Tuesday.
Turkish jets neutralized five PKK terrorists during airstrikes in northern Iraq, the country’s Defense Ministry revealed on Tuesday.
In Twitter posts, the ministry said three terrorists were “neutralized” in the Gara region as part of the ongoing Operation Claw, while another two were “neutralized” in the Haftanin region during Operation Claw-3.
Officials often use the word “neutralized” in statements to imply terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.
The airstrikes also destroyed weapons emplacements and shelters used by the PKK, the statement mentioned.
In a meantime, in eastern Bitlis province, Turkish Armed forces neutralized two PKK terrorists, the Interior Ministry disclosed Tuesday.
The counter-terrorism Ops was conducted in the rural area of the eastern province as part of domestic security operations, the ministry said. Operations still continue in the region, it added.
On May 27, Turkey launched Operation Claw to counter the PKK terror group in the Hakurk region of northern Iraq. In mid-July and late August, Turkey initiated Operation Claw-2 and Operation Claw-3 in northern Iraq with the same objective. The ongoing attacks have neutralized dozens of terrorists so far.
The PKK listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU. In more than 3 decades of terror campaign against Turkey, it has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.
Turkey also perceives the YPG as the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, which has been at war with the Turkish state for the last 41 years.
