Turkish Armed Forces neutralise terrorists in Syria, Iraq

The Turkish Armed Forces have neutralised PKK/YPG terrorists during the operations conducted in Iraq and Syria.

 “The Turkish armed forces neutralised 14 PKK terrorists in Metin and Gara regions of northern Iraq, and three PKK/YPG terrorists in the area covered by Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria,” Caliber.Az reports citing the Turkish National Defence Ministry’s message on X.

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is a Kurdish militant group that has been engaged in an armed conflict with Türkiye since the early 1980s, seeking autonomy for Kurds in southeastern Türkiye. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement over the decades.

In recent years, Türkiye has conducted military operations against PKK militants both within its borders and across the border in northern Iraq and northern Syria. These operations are aimed at neutralizing PKK fighters and preventing them from using these regions as safe havens for attacks against Türkiye.

Operation Peace Spring, launched in October 2019, targeted the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is dominated by the Kurdish YPG (People's Protection Units), an affiliate of the PKK. Ankara views the YPG as a terrorist organisation due to its links with the PKK and has sought to counter its influence along its southern border.

The Turkish military's operations in northern Iraq and Syria are part of broader efforts to enhance Türkiye's national security by combating Kurdish militant groups that it considers to be a threat.