Turkish intelligence ‘neutralizes’ senior PKK terrorist in northern Iraq

By Gozde Bayar

Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) “neutralized” a senior PKK terrorist in northern Iraq, across the Turkish border, security sources said Wednesday.

The intelligence agency “neutralized” Sariye Atilla codenamed Rozerin Semzinan, in an operation in the Hakurk region, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Atilla joined the PKK in 2007 and gave lectures at terrorist group's so-called training academies in Haftanin.

PKK terrorists often hide out across the Turkish border in northern Iraq to plot attacks in Türkiye.

In addition, three wanted terrorists were "neutralized" in southern Türkiye, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Wednesday.

Yerlikaya said on X that the three members of a separatist terrorist organization were neutralized by gendarmerie forces in the rural areas of Lice Kiyikoy in the Diyarbakir province.

Separately, gendarmerie forces captured another terrorist named Hasan Binbir in the eastern Sirnak province.

The terrorists’ affiliation was not mentioned, but the terrorist PKK has a history of being active in the area.

Turkish authorities use the term "neutralize" to imply that the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

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.