Turkish army neutralizes over 50 PKK terrorists in week-long operation

The Turkish military has neutralized 53 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq and Syria over the past week, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Zeki Aktürk, the head of the ministry's press office reported that, since the beginning of 2024, a total of 2,664 terrorists have been neutralized in the region, with 1,392 in northern Iraq and 1,272 in northern Syria, Caliber.Az reports.

Zap’ta kilidi kapatan ve terörle mücadelesini kesintisiz bir şekilde sürdüren Türk Silahlı Kuvvetlerimiz; son bir haftada 53, 1 Ocak’tan bugüne kadar 1.392’si Irak’ın, 1.272’si Suriye’nin kuzeyinde olmak üzere 2 bin 664 teröristi etkisiz hâle getirdi. #MillîSavunmaBakanlığı pic.twitter.com/EN7fK0hlQa

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) December 5, 2024

As part of the ongoing Pençe-Kilit operation in northern Iraq, Turkish forces have also seized a significant quantity of weapons, ammunition, and various materials from terrorist hideouts in caves.

In addition, Aktürk confirmed that two PKK militants, who had fled their hideouts in northern Iraq, surrendered at the Habur border post.

The operation continues as part of Türkiye's efforts to combat terrorism and maintain security in its border regions.

Moreover, in 2024, Turkish counterterrorism operations have destroyed 709 PKK hideouts, bunkers, and depots, with raids dubbed "Gürz" targeting winter kits and explosives in rural southeastern regions.

Turkish security forces, including gendarmerie, intelligence officers, commandos, and security rangers, continue these air-backed operations until all PKK terrorists are eliminated. The PKK, unable to operate in urban areas, has resorted to using remote caves in the mountainous southeast.

Seized materials include over 2,100 tons of chemical explosives, 617 kg of plastic explosives, 97 kg of TNT, and numerous weapons, including rockets, grenades, and suicide vests. These intensified strikes follow a deadly PKK attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries in October.

The PKK, which began its insurgency in 1984, operates largely from northern Iraq. Recent airstrikes in Hakurk and Gara eliminated nine terrorists. Türkiye has maintained military bases in northern Iraq for decades, with operations aimed at neutralizing PKK strongholds and preventing a terror corridor.

By Aghakazim Guliyev