Türkiye neutralizes six terrorists in northern Iraq, Syria VIDEO

The Turkish military has neutralized six terrorists linked to the PKK/YPG in northern Syria and Iraq, said Turkish Ministry of National Defence on X page.

The statement revealed that Turkish Armed Forces had neutralized three PKK terrorists in the Pençe-Kilit (Claw-Lock) operation zone in northern Iraq, and three PKK/YPG terrorists in the OPERATION PEACE SPRING in northern Syria, Caliber.Az reports. 

Türk Silahlı Kuvvetlerimiz, terör örgütlerine karşı önleyici ve yok edici tedbirler almaya devam ediyor.

Irak’ın kuzeyindeki Pençe-Kilit Operasyonu bölgesinde tespit edilen 3 PKK’lı terörist ile Suriye'nin kuzeyindeki Barış Pınarı bölgesinde belirlenen 3 PKK/YPG'li terörist… pic.twitter.com/qQP3BZ0zS7

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) January 13, 2025

To recap, Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has been engaged in an insurgency against Türkiye since 1984, primarily operating in the mountainous regions of northern Iraq near the Turkish border.

The group has been responsible for numerous attacks on civilians, military personnel, and infrastructure, leading to over 40,000 deaths. Designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union, the PKK's aim is the establishment of an independent Kurdish state or autonomous Kurdish regions within Türkiye. Over time, the group's tactics have shifted from conventional warfare to asymmetric strategies, including bombings, assassinations, and ambushes.

Despite several peace attempts, the conflict remains unresolved, continuing to destabilize the region. The PKK's activities in northern Iraq have also strained relations between Türkiye, Iraq, and other regional players, prompting regular military interventions. The group's continued presence remains a significant security challenge in the broader Middle East.

By Aghakazim Guliyev