Turkiye ‘neutralizes’ 26 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) – Turkish security forces "neutralized" a total of 26 PKK terrorists since the launch of Operation Claw-Lock in northern Iraq, the country’s National Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

The anti-terror operation successfully continues as planned, the ministry said in a statement.

According to the ministry, the new operation was launched on Monday after reports that the terrorist group was planning to initiate a large-scale attack, and it is in line with the UN Charter's principle of self-defense.

PKK terrorists often hide out in northern Iraq to plot cross-border attacks in Turkiye.

In 2020, Turkiye launched operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle in the border regions of northern Iraq to ensure the safety of the Turkish people and the frontiers.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the US and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.