UPDATE - Türkiye 'neutralizes' 59 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, Syria

ADDS COMMENTS BY TURKISH VICE PRESIDENT

By Muhammed Enes Calli, Irem Demir and Hamdi Dindirek

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish military forces carried out airstrikes against 47 terror targets in northern Iraq and Syria, "neutralizing" 59 PKK and PKK/YPG terrorists, including two ringleaders, the National Defense Ministry said Thursday.

The operations followed a terror attack Wednesday against Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) headquarters in Ankara's Kahramankazan district.

Two terrorists who attacked the facilities were "neutralized," while five people were killed and 22 injured, said Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

Yerlikaya said Thursday that the perpetrators have been identified as Mine Sevjin Alcicek and Ali Orek, codenamed “Rojger,” both of whom are members of the PKK terror group.

National Defense Minister Yasar Guler also gave a briefing earlier about the air operations at a commemoration ceremony at the TAI stand at the SAHA EXPO 2024 International Defense, Aviation, and Space Industry Fair in Istanbul.

"A total of 47 terrorist targets were hit with precision, including 29 in Iraq and 18 in northern Syria, and a large number of terrorists were neutralized," he said.

Guler condemned the attack on TAI and offered condolences to the families of the martyrs and expressed a determination to avenge the fallen soldiers.

He emphasized that the attack demonstrated how much the terrorists and their supporters are disturbed by Türkiye’s defense advancements.

"In our TAI facilities, critical projects like our national combat aircraft KAAN, HURJET, HURKUS, AKSUNGUR, and ANKA UAVs are being developed," he said.

Guler also noted that important projects such as the national combat aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles, are under development at the TAI facilities.

"We are fully aware of the intentions of terrorist organizations and the dark forces behind them. However, let it be known that Türkiye has never bowed to any threat, and it never will," he said.

Guler also reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to eliminating terror threats.

"Our operations will continue decisively and without compromise. No member of treacherous terrorist organizations, especially the PKK, PYD and YPG, will escape the grasp of our heroic forces."

Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir and Baykar General Manager Haluk Bayraktar also addressed the expo.

Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz told the expo that he believes “this treacherous attack targeting our strengthening Türkiye, which aims for complete independence and whose defense industry is advancing to new heights every year, will produce effects contrary to its intentions. We will continue to develop our defense industry with even greater determination and strength than before.”

*Gizem Nisa Cebi and Esra Tekin contributed to this story