ADDS INFO
By Gozde Bayar and Esra Tekin
ANKARA/ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish airstrikes destroyed 29 terror targets in northern Iraq and Syria, with many terrorists "neutralized," Türkiye's National Defense Ministry said Saturday.
The targets, including caves, shelters, bunkers and warehouses, were destroyed at 10 p.m. local time, according to a statement from the ministry that “assessed” that senior terrorists were present in some of them.
The airstrikes were carried out to "eliminate terrorist attacks against Türkiye and its security forces from northern Iraq and Syria by neutralizing members of the PKK terror group and other terrorist elements and to ensure border security in line with the legitimate self-defense rights arising from Article 51 of the UN Charter," it said.
Turkish-made munitions were used as much as possible, it added.
"During this operation, every possible precaution was taken to safeguard innocent civilians, friendly elements, historical and cultural landmarks, and the environment from any harm," the ministry statement said.
Turkish authorities use the term "neutralize" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.
National Defense Minister Yasar Guler directed and managed the air operations from the Air Force Operations Center that destroyed targets.
Guler congratulated pilots who successfully hit the targets, along with senior commanders of the Turkish Armed Forces.
The airstrikes came after 12 Turkish soldiers were killed in northern Iraq by PKK terrorists.
Türkiye once again reiterated its determination to fight terrorism at its source until the last terrorist is eliminated.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: "Türkiye will not allow a terrorist organization in northern Iraq or Syria at any cost."
PKK terrorists often hide in northern Iraq to plot cross-border attacks in Türkiye.
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.