Ministry: Türkiye neutralises numerous terrorists in Iraq, Syria over past two weeks VIDEO

Spokesman for the Turkish National Defence Ministry Zeki Akturk has announced that the Turkish military neutralised 1,588 terrorists in the region since January 1, 2024.

“In the past two weeks alone, 67 terrorists were neutralised in operations across Iraq and northern Syria,” Akturk confirmed, Caliber.Az reports.

Millî Savunma Bakanlığının faaliyetleri başta olmak üzere gündemdeki konulara ilişkin olarak Haftalık Basın Bilgilendirme Toplantısı gerçekleştirildi.

Basın ve Halkla İlişkiler Müşaviri Tuğamiral Zeki Aktürk tarafından icra edilen toplantıda şu bilgiler paylaşıldı:

67… pic.twitter.com/FBxBIWsInY

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) August 1, 2024

Recent operations, part of Operation Pence-Kilit (Operation Claw-Lock), have led to the discovery of six caves and tunnels, with significant finds including numerous ammunition and improvised explosive devices.

Additionally, a PKK terrorist who had fled northern Iraq surrendered to border guards in Khabur. On July 26, an air operation targeted terrorist positions in Gara, Qandil, and Asos in northern Iraq, destroying 25 key targets, including caves, shelters, hideouts, and facilities. The operation utilized domestically produced ammunition, resulting in the neutralization of several terrorists.

Operation Claw-Lock is part of Türkiye's broader counter-terrorism efforts aimed at neutralizing Kurdish insurgent groups, particularly the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party), which Türkiye, the EU, and the US designate as a terrorist organisation.

Operation Claw-Lock was launched on April 18, 2022, as a continuation of Türkiye's series of "Claw" operations targeting PKK positions in northern Iraq and Syria.

The primary aim is to dismantle PKK infrastructure, including caves, tunnels, and weapon caches, and to neutralize active PKK members. The operation focuses on areas where the PKK has established bases or logistical support.

The Turkish military conducts extensive ground operations to capture or eliminate PKK members and secure territory. This involves the deployment of special forces, use of drones, and ground troops.