By Sarp Ozer
ANKARA (AA) – In two air operations since Sunday’s terror attack in the capital Ankara, Türkiye has destroyed 36 terror targets in northern Iraq, according to security sources and video made available to reporters.
Tuesday saw the Turkish Armed Forces’ second major air operation in northern Iraq in the three days since the terror attack in the Turkish capital.
In Sunday’s foiled attack, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the Interior Ministry gate while another terrorist was killed by security forces. Two police officers suffered minor injuries in the attack. The Turkish Interior Ministry has confirmed the attackers’ ties to the terrorist group PKK.
In Tuesday's air operation, Türkiye hit 16 terror targets in northern Iraq’s Metina, Gara, Hakurk, Qandil and Asos regions, said Nation Defense Ministry sources, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The fighter jets took off from three different combat bases and simultaneously struck locations used by terrorists in various regions, including Asos, which is 140 km (87 miles) from the border.
The terrorist PKK is known for using northern Iraq, near the Turkish border, as a hideout to plan terrorist attacks.
Tuesday’s operation also involved tanker aircraft, Airborne Warning and Control (AWAC) aircraft, and drones.
The operation was done with great precision in both the planning and execution phases, resulting in the destruction of targets such as shelters, caves, tunnels, ammunition depots, and so-called headquarters used by the PKK terror group.
During the operation, there were multiple consecutive explosions at some of the targets struck by the aircraft.
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 over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.