Turkish army strikes PKK/YPG in Syria, Iraq, neutralises four terrorists VIDEO

The Turkish army continues its operations against PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Syria and Iraq, successfully neutralising several militants.

The Turkish Armed Forces targeted and eliminated two PKK terrorists in the Gara area of northern Iraq, says a statement from the Turkish Ministry of National Defence shared on social media platform X, Caliber.Az reports.

Ara, bul, yok et!

Kahraman Türk Silahlı Kuvvetlerimiz, Irak’ın kuzeyindeki Gara bölgesinde tespit ettiği 2 PKK’lı terörist ile Suriye’nin kuzeyindeki Fırat Kalkanı bölgesinde saldırı hazırlığı yapan 2 PKK/YPG’li teröristi etkisiz hâle getirdi.

Teröristler, her nerede olursa… pic.twitter.com/RyFv6JXfFg

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) December 24, 2024

Additionally, two PKK/YPG terrorists were neutralised in the region of Operation Euphrates Shield in northern Syria, the ministry said.

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