Pakistan condoles killing of Turkish soldiers in terror attacks in northern Iraq

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan on Sunday condoled the killing of 12 Turkish soldiers in terrorist attacks in northern Iraq over the past two days.

"We express deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wish speedy recovery to the injured. Pakistan stands in firm solidarity with Turkiye in this moment of grief," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

"Pakistan strongly condemns the scourge of terrorism. We are confident that the brotherly Turkish nation will overcome this tragedy with characteristic grit and determination," it added.

Türkiye has reaffirmed its determination to fight and eliminate terrorism at its source.

Since the terrorists’ attacks, 30 terrorists have so far been “neutralized” in Turkish airstrikes in northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

On Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed that Türkiye would prevent the emergence of a "terrorist structure" in northern Iraq and Syria "whatever the cost."

PKK terrorists often hide in northern Iraq to plot cross-border attacks in Türkiye. It also has a Syrian branch, known as the YPG.

Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock in April 2022 to target the PKK terror group’s hideouts in the Metina, Zap, and Avasin-Basyan regions of northern Iraq, located near the Turkish border.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU — has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.