Türkiye announces surrender of two PKK terrorists and destruction of 458-km-long tunnels in Syria

Turkish Defence Ministry spokesperson Zeki Aktürk has announced the surrender of two more PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, and destruction by the Turkish troops of a 458-kilometre-long tunnels in Syria.

“During the operational and reconnaissance activities conducted in the terrorists’ shelters, hideouts, and caves in the area of the Pençe-Kilit operation, a large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and various materials were seized and rendered unusable,” Aktürk said in a video address posted on the Ministry's X page, per Caliber.Az.

Hudutlarımızdan yasa dışı yollarla geçmeye çalışan 9’u terör örgütü mensubu olmak üzere 221 şahıs yakalanmış, 1.017 şahıs ise hududu geçemeden engellenmiştir.#MillîSavunmaBakanlığı pic.twitter.com/nTrXb1R4Zl

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) July 10, 2025

In addition, Aktürk stated that 221 people were detained last week, including 9 members of terrorist organisations attempting to cross the border illegally. Attempts by 1,017 individuals to cross the border were prevented. Since January 1, the total number of detainees caught trying to cross the border illegally has reached 3,304.

Moreover, a total of 103 kilograms of narcotics were seized this week at the Edirne and Hatay border points.

“As part of the ongoing efforts to ‘destroy tunnels’ in the zones of the Syrian operation, 212 kilometres of tunnels were destroyed in the Tel Rifat area and 246 kilometres in the Manbij area,” the spokesperson added.

By Khagan Isayev