Türkiye's military eliminates 17 terrorists in Northern Iraq, Syria

Türkiye's Ministry of National Defence has stated that the Turkish Armed Forces eliminated 17 terrorists in northern Iraq and Syria.

The strikes on militants were carried out in the Iraqi districts of Gara, Metina and in the Pençe-Kilit anti-terrorist operation zone, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

In addition, terrorists were neutralized in Syria's Munbich district.

According to the defence ministry, 15 militants were neutralized in northern Iraq and two more in Syria.

The Turkish Defence Ministry emphasized the determination to completely eliminate the threat of terrorism in the region.

The number of terrorists eliminated by the Turkish army in the region since the beginning of the year has exceeded 1,830.

Turkish authorities use the term “neutralise” to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

The PKK is known for using northern Iraq, near the Turkish border, as a hideout to plot terror attacks on Türkiye.

Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock in April 2022 to target the PKK terror organisation's hideouts in Iraq's northern Metina, Zap, and Avasin-Basyan regions near the Turkish border.

In its nearly 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organisation by Türkiye, the US, and EU — has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.