Turkish soldiers keep country safe from northern Iraq

By Ozkan Bilgin and Yilmaz Kazandioglu

ERBIL (AA) - An air-backed Turkish army operation that was launched this March against terrorist PKK camps in Iraq continues to block terrorist infiltration of Turkey.

Turkish soldiers managed to set up bases in regions cleared of terrorists, including Hakurk in northern Iraq, military sources told Anadolu Agency.

Bases set up in the Armus, Avasin, Basyan and Kani Rash districts by commandoes from Yuksekova, Hakkari in Turkey have helped the army a great deal.

The operation saw 131 terrorists being neutralized within a 23 square kilometer area, and a great deal of ammunition and explosives being seized.

Turkish soldiers are keeping an eye on the Turkish-Iraqi border at the Sera Batin Hill Base, located at an elevation of 2,550 meters at Avasin Basyan in northern Iraq.

Preventing terrorists from infiltrating the country, Turkish soldiers always retaliate to terrorist attacks.

Soldiers also ensure that fields in northern Iraq can be used for agriculture, unlike the PKK terrorists who blocked locals from using them when they were in control.

Locals started to do agriculture and raising livestock thanks to Turkish soldiers.

- Here to protect 'country's honor'

Speaking to Anadolu Agency at the Sera Batin Base, Commander Ziyaettin Atak said the base was set up last September as part of efforts to block terrorists from infiltrating Turkey.

"The operation, which led to the clearing of all terrorists from the Sera Batin Base area, saw four soldiers and one village guard being martyred," said Atak.

"The 34th Border Brigade is responsible for protecting our country's honor and ensuring our lands and our nation's indivisible integrity," he said.