Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to announce Murat Kurum as his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) candidate in Istanbul’s mayoral election in March, in Istanbul, Turkey January 7, 2024. REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo
The Turkish military conducted airstrikes in northern Iraq and Syria on Sunday, targeting 24 Kurdish militant locations, according to a statement from the Turkish Defence Ministry. The ministry reported the “neutralization” of numerous militants, with the term typically implying their elimination.
The operations took place in northern Syria and the Metina, Hakurk, Gara, Asos, and Qandil regions of northern Iraq at 10 p.m. (1900 GMT). The targets encompassed caves, shelters, bunkers, depots, and natural gas production facilities, as detailed in the ministry’s statement on the social messaging platform X.
This military action followed a clash on Friday in which nine Turkish soldiers lost their lives while engaging with members of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Turkey has been executing the “Claw-Lock” cross-border operation in Iraq, part of its broader campaign against PKK militants. Additionally, Turkey has initiated military interventions in Syria against the Kurdish YPG militia, considering it an extension of the PKK.
The PKK, officially designated as a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, initiated armed conflict against the Turkish state in 1984.
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