Türkiye's military success: Over 2,000 terrorists neutralized in 2024

Since January 1, 2024, the Turkish military has successfully neutralized a total of 2,049 terrorists in Iraq and Syria, according to Zeki Aktürk, head of the Ministry of Defence's press service.

In the past two weeks alone, Turkish forces have eliminated 36 terrorists in operations across both countries, Caliber.Az reports quoting him as stated.

Türk Silahlı Kuvvetlerimiz, Irak ve Suriye’nin kuzeyi dâhil 36’sı son bir haftada olmak üzere, 1 Ocak’tan bugüne kadar 2 bin 49 teröristi etkisiz hâle getirdi. #MillîSavunmaBakanlığı pic.twitter.com/4Ezr6uQGzd

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) September 26, 2024

The breakdown reveals that 1,046 of these terrorists were neutralized in northern Iraq, while 1,003 were dealt with in northern Syria.

Additionally, Aktürk mentioned that two PKK terrorists who had fled their hideouts in northern Iraq surrendered at border posts in Başkal and Habur.

Since 2016, Türkiye has executed three significant operations aimed at eradicating terrorism threats along its southern borders and ensuring the safety of local residents. These operations — Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019) — were carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces in northern Syria.

The PKK, responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 individuals, including women and children, has been designated as a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and the European Union.

In recent years, the PKK has attempted to deflect blame for its violent actions onto its various offshoots. In Syria, it operates under the names PYD and YPG, and has recently rebranded itself as the “Syrian Democratic Forces.” Meanwhile, in Iran, it operates as the “Party of Free Life of Kurdistan” (PJAK).

By Tamilla Hasanova