Turkish airstrikes hit terrorist targets in northern Iraq, says Defense chief

By Sarp Ozer

SIRNAK, Türkiye (AA) - In recent airstrikes by the Turkish military, 16 targets have been destroyed in northern Iraq, Türkiye's minister of national defense said on Thursday.

"Two days ago, the Turkish Armed Forces conducted an air operation 140 kilometers (87 miles) from Türkiye's southern border with Iraq," Hulusi Akar told reporters in the southeastern Sirnak province.

Underlining the progress achieved under the ongoing anti-terrorism Operation Claw-Lock, Akar said that in the strikes on Tuesday, Turkish forces had "successfully hit and destroyed 16 targets in northern Iraq's Asos region, where caves, shelters, and so-called headquarters of the terrorists are located."

Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock in April to target PKK terrorist hideouts in Iraq's northern Metina, Zap, and Avasin-Basyan regions, near the Turkish border.

"We respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty rights of all our neighbors, especially Iraq and Syria. Syrians, Iraqis are our brothers. We have no problem with them. Our problem is with terrorists," Akar stressed.

He also emphasized that efforts of Turkish forces to prevent any harm to civilians, as well as to historical, religious, and cultural sites and the environment.

Operation Claw-Lock was initiated after Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle to root out terrorists hiding in northern Iraq and plotting 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.

Commenting on the recent tensions between Türkiye and Greece, Akar said: "Unfortunately, Greece continues its provocative actions and discourses.”

He reaffirmed Türkiye's willingness to resolve the problems between the two countries through peaceful methods.

"We've expressed at every opportunity that we're ready to meet with them, whether they come to Türkiye or call us and we go to Greece, meet, talk, and solve the problems between us," said Akar.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz