Turkish Army conducts air operation in Iraq, terrorists neutralized VIDEO

The Turkish Armed Forces continue operations in the region, as part of the ongoing efforts against terrorism.

The Turkish Ministry of National Defence made a post on its X account, saying 11 PKK terrorists were neutralized during an air operation in northern Iraq, Caliber.Az reports.

The ministry stated that the terrorists were detected and eliminated during the operation.

Zap’ta kilidi kapatan Türk Silahlı Kuvvetlerimiz, bölgede operasyonlara aralıksız devam ediyor.

Irak’ın kuzeyinde tespit edilen 11 PKK'lı terörist, düzenlenen hava harekâtı ile etkisiz hâle getirildi.

Her nerede olursa olsunlar terör örgütleri ile mücadelemiz, en son terörist… pic.twitter.com/oB2yqF1iP4

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) December 20, 2024

The PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) has been engaged in a violent insurgency against Türkiye since 1984. It operates primarily from mountainous regions in northern Iraq, near the Turkish border, where it establishes hideouts and training camps. The group has carried out numerous attacks, targeting civilians, military personnel, and infrastructure across Türkiye. Recognised as a terrorist organisation by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union, the PKK’s violent activities have led to the deaths of over 40,000 people, including innocent civilians, women, children, and the elderly.

The PKK’s ideological foundation stems from its goal of creating an independent Kurdish state or autonomous Kurdish regions within Türkiye. Over time, its tactics have shifted from conventional warfare to asymmetric strategies, including bombings, assassinations, and ambushes. Despite several peace processes, the conflict remains unresolved, with continued instability in the region.

The group's presence in northern Iraq complicates international relations, with Türkiye frequently conducting military operations in pursuit of PKK militants, which strains diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Iraq, as well as Türkiye and other regional actors. The PKK’s enduring presence in the region continues to pose significant challenges to the security and stability of the broader Middle East.

By Vafa Guliyeva