Türkiye’s MİT eliminates "grey category" PKK leader in northern Iraq PHOTO

Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MİT) has neutralized a senior PKK member listed in the “grey category” during an operation in northern Iraq.

Sources within Türkiye’s security structures informed that MİT carried out a precision operation in Iraq’s Gara region, eliminating Firat Serihan, known by the code name “Hogir Batman,” Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

According to the information provided, Firat Serihan joined the PKK in Istanbul in 2010. Between 2010 and 2014, he was involved in organizational activities in northern Iraq.

In 2014, Serihan served as a group commander in the Syria/Serê Kaniyê area. Between 2015 and 2016, he was responsible for supplying ammunition in Syria’s Tel Tamir and Serê Kaniyê. In 2017, he was assigned a senior position in Ayn al-Arab. From 2018 to 2024, he held the position of chief logistics officer for ammunition in Iraq’s Gara region.

MİT’s intelligence activities revealed that Serihan had planned an attack on Turkish security forces in northern Syria in 2016, personally issuing instructions for the operation. Following this, MİT added Serihan to its target list.

Further intelligence revealed that Serihan was responsible for supplying arms and ammunition to PKK operatives in the area of Operation Claw-Lock (Pençe-Kilit) under orders from the organization’s senior leadership.

Serihan, along with accompanying terrorists preparing for an attack against Turkish law enforcement in Gara, was neutralized during the operation.

To recap, since 1984, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has waged a violent insurgency against Türkiye. The group primarily operates from mountainous areas in northern Iraq, close to the Turkish border, where it maintains hideouts and training camps.

Over the years, the PKK has launched numerous attacks, targeting civilians, military personnel, and critical infrastructure across Türkiye. Designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union, the PKK’s actions have resulted in the loss of over 40,000 lives, including those of innocent civilians, women, children, and the elderly.

By Aghakazim Guliyev