Turkish jets hit 89 YPG/PKK terror targets in Iraq, Syria

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) – Türkiye hit almost 90 YPG/PKK terror targets during air raids in northern regions of Iraq and Syria, the National Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

"With the Operation Claw-Sword, 89 terror targets – 81 targets in the first stage and eight others this morning –including shelters, bunkers, caves, tunnels, ammunition depots, and so-called headquarters and training camps belonging to terrorists, who threaten our country, nation and border security, were destroyed," the ministry said in a statement.

The statement came after Türkiye early Sunday carried out Operation Claw-Sword, a cross-border aerial campaign against the KCK/YPG/PKK terrorist group in northern Iraq and Syria. The ministry said the operation was carried out in line with the right of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

The ministry said Türkiye carried out a "successful operation" in Qandil, Asos and Hakurk regions of northern Iraq and Arab Spring, Tal Rifat, Jazira, and Derik regions of northern Syria.

"Among the terrorists neutralized in the air operation were the so-called leaders of the terrorist organization," the ministry added.

The operation followed last Sunday's terror attack on Istanbul's crowded Istiklal Avenue that killed at least six and left 81 injured.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the terror group's Syrian offshoot.