Turkish forces strike hard: 94 terrorists eliminated in week-long operations VIDEO

The Turkish Defence Ministry reported that 94 terrorists were neutralised in northern Iraq and Syria over the past week, as part of its ongoing operations against PKK/KCK/PYD/YPG and ISIS terrorist groups.

This brings the total number of terrorists neutralised since the beginning of 2024 to 3,164, Zeki Aktürk, spokesperson for the ministry said, Caliber.Az reports.

Irak ve Suriye’nin kuzeyi dâhil, son bir haftada 94 terörist etkisiz hâle getirilmiştir. Böylece, 2024 yılı dâhil etkisiz hâle getirilen terörist sayısı 3 bin 164’e ulaşmıştır.#MillîSavunmaBakanlığı pic.twitter.com/phmIBs0hq0

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) January 9, 2025

Making the announcement, Aktürk highlighting the success of Türkiye’s continuous military operations.

The spokesperson also confirmed that four PKK terrorists, who had fled from their hideouts in northern Iraq, surrendered to Turkish border posts last week.

The PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) has waged an ongoing insurgency against Türkiye since 1984, with operations centred in the mountainous areas of northern Iraq near the Turkish border. The group has carried out numerous attacks, targeting civilians, military personnel, and infrastructure, resulting in over 40,000 deaths. Designated a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and the EU, the PKK seeks an independent Kurdish state or autonomous Kurdish regions within Türkiye.

The PKK's tactics have evolved over time, shifting from conventional warfare to asymmetric strategies, including bombings, assassinations, and ambushes. Despite multiple peace initiatives, the conflict remains unresolved, continuing to destabilize the region.

The group's activities in northern Iraq have strained Türkiye's relations with Iraq and other regional actors, prompting frequent military operations. The PKK’s presence remains a significant challenge to the security and stability of the wider Middle East.