Ministry: Türkiye neutralises over 3,000 terrorists since January 2024 VIDEO

Spokesman for the Turkish Ministry of National Defense Zeki Aktürk has said that over the past week, Turkish military units repelled 72 attempted attacks: 17 in Iraq and 55 in Syria.

Aktürk noted that thanks to the swift response to attacks that affected civilians in the region, as well as ongoing operations, 62 terrorists were neutralised over the past week, including those in northern Iraq and Syria, Caliber.Az reports, citing the ministry. 

Irak ve Suriye’nin kuzeyi dâhil son bir haftada 62 terörist etkisiz hâle getirilmiştir. Yıl içerisinde etkisiz hâle getirilen terörist sayısı 3 bin 21’e ulaşmıştır.#MillîSavunmaBakanlığı pic.twitter.com/JicTexo5UG

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) December 26, 2024

"As of January 1, 2024, the number of neutralised terrorists has reached 3,021," he said. 

Moreover, during operational and search activities in the zone covered by Operation Pençe-Kilit (Operation Claw-Lock) in northern Iraq, a large cache of weapons and ammunition was seized from terrorist caves. 

Aktürk also mentioned that last week, two PKK terrorists who had fled their hideouts in northern Iraq surrendered to border posts.

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has waged an ongoing insurgency against Türkiye since 1984, with operations centred in the mountainous areas of northern Iraq near the Turkish border. 

The group has carried out numerous attacks, targeting civilians, military personnel, and infrastructure, resulting in over 40,000 deaths. Designated a terrorist organisation by Türkiye, the US, and the EU, the PKK seeks an independent Kurdish state or autonomous Kurdish regions within Türkiye. The PKK's tactics have evolved over time, shifting from conventional warfare to asymmetric strategies, including bombings, assassinations, and ambushes.

Despite multiple peace initiatives, the conflict remains unresolved, continuing to destabilize the region. The group's activities in northern Iraq have strained Türkiye's relations with Iraq and other regional actors, prompting frequent military operations. The PKK’s presence remains a significant challenge to the security and stability of the wider Middle East.

By Naila Huseynova