Operation Claw: Turkish soldier martyred in N.Iraq

By Duygu Yener

ANKARA (AA) - A Turkish soldier was martyred and six others injured in northern Iraq in clashes with PKK terrorists as part of ongoing Operation Claw, Turkey's Defense Ministry reported on Friday.

The cross-border operation supported by the Turkish Air Forces is under way, the ministry said.

"Drowned in sadness, we wish Allah's mercy upon our martyr, and express our condolences to his family, the Turkish Armed Forces, and our noble nation," the ministry said.

On May 27, Turkey launched Operation Claw against PKK terrorist organization in the Hakurk region of northern Iraq.

On July 13, Turkey launched Operation Claw-2 as a follow-up to the successfully ongoing Claw-1, which revealed new information of terrorist activity, according to the ministry.

A total of 71 terrorists have been "neutralized" since the launch of Operation Claw, the ministry announced on Monday.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.