Turkish Forces destroy over 30 terrorist locations in northern Iraq MAP

Turkish security forces conducted an air operation in northern Iraq on July 3, targeting over 30 locations used by the PKK terrorist group, Caliber.Az reports citing Türkiye's National Defence Ministry.

In a statement, the ministry clarified that the operation was carried out under the legitimate self-defence rights outlined in Article 51 of the UN Charter. Its objectives included neutralizing PKK/KCK and other terrorist elements, preventing attacks against local populations and security forces from northern Iraq, and safeguarding border security.

Hava Kuvvetlerimiz, teröristlerin inlerini yerle bir etti.#MillîSavunmaBakanlığı pic.twitter.com/TpS6qDRt0P

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) July 3, 2024

Using domestically produced ammunition, the operation successfully destroyed 37 targets such as caves, shelters, hideouts, depots, and facilities in the Metina, Gara, Hakurk, Qandil, and Asos regions. The statement noted that numerous terrorists were neutralized during the operation.

"The operation prioritized precautions to avoid harm to innocent civilians, friendly forces, historical and cultural sites, and the environment," the ministry emphasized.

The PKK, notorious for using northern Iraq as a base for planning attacks, targets both Türkiye and local communities in northern Syria. Turkish authorities use the term "neutralize" to denote that terrorists have surrendered, been killed, or captured.

Throughout its nearly four-decade campaign against Türkiye, the PKK—recognized as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and the EU—has been responsible for more than 40,000 fatalities, including women, children, and infants.