The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced on Friday that it had neutralized 17 militants from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in recent operations in northern Syria and Iraq.
In a statement, the ministry detailed that Turkish forces successfully targeted 10 PKK militants in the Hakurk, Gara, and Claw-Lock operation zones in northern Iraq.
Additionally, the statement revealed that Turkish forces neutralized 7 PKK militants and members of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) in the Olive Branch and Peace Spring operation areas in northern Syria.
Turkish Defense Minister Yashar Guler emphasized that previous airstrikes against PKK positions have resulted in dozens of militant casualties.
The Turkish military has been targeting PKK sites, including hideouts, shelters, and caves used by the militants.
Turkey conducts ongoing air and ground military operations against the PKK, which is designated as a terrorist organization by Ankara, and the YPG, which Turkey regards as an extension of the PKK in Syria.
Ankara asserts that these military operations aim to secure its borders and prevent terrorist attacks on its territory.
Earlier this month, Turkish authorities arrested 41 individuals suspected of having ties to ISIS.
In March 2023, the Turkish Interior Minister announced that Turkish security forces had detained 51 people on suspicion of being connected to the group.
Turkey has intensified its operations against members of ISIS, including an attack at the beginning of January 2017 at a nightclub in Istanbul, which resulted in the deaths of 39 people.
