Türkiye pledges to clear northern Iraq of terrorists

National Defence Minister Hulusi Akar has stated that Türkiye will clear northern Iraq of terrorists.

Akar made the remarks during a videoconference at the Operations Center with the unit commanders participating in the Pençe-Kilit operation in northern Iraq on November 3, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Turkish National Defence Ministry’s Twitter account.

Akar pointed out that the Pençe-Kilit operation successfully continues.

“Mehmetchik [Turkish soldier] cleared over 540 hideouts and caves, as well as destroyed 1,808 mines and improvised explosives planted by terrorists. To date, 429 terrorists have been neutralized. We are nearing the end when the entire area of Operation Pençe-Kilit will be under our control. We will clear the Zap region of terrorists and thus close all our borders,” Akar said.

Millî Savunma Bakanı Hulusi Akar, beraberinde TSK Komuta Kademesi ile gittiği 3’üncü Piyade Tümen Komutanlığında, Pençe-Kilit Operasyonu’na katılan birliklerin komutanlarıyla video telekonferans toplantısı yaptı. Bakan Akar sahadaki son duruma ilişkin bilgi aldı, talimatlar verdi pic.twitter.com/NyXKBXyXCN

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) November 3, 2022