Türkiye ‘neutralizes’ 5 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq

By Zehra Nur Duz

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces “neutralized” five PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry said on Friday.

The terrorists were targeted in Operation Claw-Lock zone, a ministry statement said.

Turkish authorities use the term “neutralized” to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

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

It was preceded by Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle launched in 2020 to root out terrorists hiding out 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.