Turkish military neutralises over 2,400 terrorists since early 2024

The Turkish Armed Forces have reportedly neutralised a total of 2,419 terrorists in operations since January 1, 2024, the country’s National Defence Ministry said on its X page.

Over the past two weeks alone, Turkish forces eliminated 198 terrorists in northern Iraq and Syria, Caliber.Az reports.

Irak ve Suriye’nin kuzeyi dâhil son bir haftada 198, 1 Ocak’tan bugüne kadar ise 2 bin 419 terörist etkisiz hâle getirildi.#MillîSavunmaBakanlığı pic.twitter.com/3NlFHFQzE7

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) October 31, 2024

This brings the year’s total to 2,419, with 1,256 neutralised in northern Iraq and 1,163 in northern Syria.

Following a recent attack targeting Türkye's key defence company TUSAŞ, air operations were launched against terrorist targets in both regions. These strikes focused on caves, shelters, hideouts, storage facilities, and other sites reportedly used by separatist organisations. 

“Many terrorists were eliminated, and the impact assessment on these targets is ongoing,” Akturk noted.

He further added that three PKK terrorists, who had fled their hideouts in northern Iraq, surrendered to border posts last week. This raises the total number of terrorists who have surrendered since the start of the year to 86.

Notably, two assailants killed five individuals and injured 22 others on October 23 in what Ankara described as a terrorist attack at the headquarters of Turkish Aerospace Industries. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire and an explosion.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that both attackers were killed following the incident. Television broadcasters aired footage showing armed assailants entering the TUSAS building near Ankara.

By Aghakazim Guliyev