Turkish military "neutralises" eight PKK terrorists in northern Iraq

The Turkish Armed Forces have eliminated eight PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) militants in northern Iraq, according to the publication by the Turkish Ministry of National Defence on X page.

This operation was carried out as part of the Pençe-Kilit initiative in the area, Caliber.Az reports.

Terörist neredeyse hedefimiz orası!

Kahraman Türk Silahlı Kuvvetlerimiz, Irak’ın kuzeyindeki Haftanin ve Pençe-Kilit Operasyonu bölgelerinde tespit ettiği 8 PKK’lı teröristi etkisiz hâle getirdi.

Terörü kaynağında yok etmek için öngörülemez, alışılmadık, süratli ve sürekli… pic.twitter.com/xTX3V0D53I

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) October 30, 2024

“Wherever there is a terrorist, there is our target! The Turkish Armed Forces have neutralised eight PKK militants situated in the Haftanin region as part of the Pençe-Kilit operation in northern Iraq,” the statement said.

Notably, these operations were initiated in response to a PKK terrorist attack on October 23 at the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) headquarters in Ankara, which tragically resulted in the deaths of five individuals and left 22 others injured.

The PKK, recognised as a terrorist organisation by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has waged a violent campaign for over 40 years, claiming more than 40,000 lives, including women, children, and the elderly.

Often, PKK militants find refuge in northern Iraq, where they plan and launch cross-border assaults against Türkiye.

By Aghakazim Guliyev