Turkey’s airstrikes demolish 19 PKK terrorist bases in northern Iraq
Date
10/26/2023 3:30:25 AM
(MENAFN) On Wednesday, Turkish airstrikes targeting PKK terrorist facilities in northern Iraq resulted in the destruction of 19 caves, caches, and shelters believed to be harboring the organization's key figures, as reported by Turkey's National Defense Ministry.
Air operations were conducted in the Metina, Hakurk, Gara, Avasin as well as Qandil districts to “eliminate terrorist attacks against Turkey and security forces from northern Iraq by neutralizing members of the PKK/KCK terror group and other terrorist elements and to ensure border security in line with the self-defense rights arising from Article 51 of the UN Charter,” the ministry stated in a declaration.
According to the ministry, a significant number of terrorists were "neutralized" during the operations, which made extensive use of locally made munitions.
Turkish officials use the word "neutralize" to suggest that the suspected terrorists have either given up, been killed, or have been apprehended.
“During this operation, every possible precaution was taken to safeguard innocent civilians, friendly elements, historical and cultural landmarks, and the environment from any harm,” it contniued.
In April of the previous year, Turkey initiated Operation Claw-Lock, aiming to target the PKK terrorist group's hidden bases situated in northern Iraq's Metina, Zap, and Avasin-Basyan regions, which are located near the Turkish border.
This operation followed two prior campaigns, known as Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle, which were launched in 2020 to eliminate terrorists who were using northern Iraq as a refuge and planning cross-border attacks into Turkey.
Over the course of its extensive 35-year-long campaign of terror against Turkey, the PKK, recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has been responsible for the loss of over 40,000 lives, including men, women, children, and even infants.
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