Türkiye's MoD: PKK militants in Iraq and Syria continue to surrender VIDEO

The Turkish Armed Forces remain steadfast in fulfilling their responsibilities for national defence and security, carrying out their operations with unwavering determination and success, according to Zeki Aktürk, head of the press service for Türkiye’s Ministry of Defence.

Aktürk revealed that five more PKK terrorists operating in northern Iraq and Syria had surrendered over the past week, further eroding the militant group’s presence in the region, Caliber.Az reports.

Son bir hafta içerisinde; Irak ve Suriye’nin kuzeyindeki barınma alanlarından kaçan 5 PKK’lı terörist daha teslim oldu.#MillîSavunmaBakanlığı pic.twitter.com/vuMY2r3Fje

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) June 19, 2025

“A large number of weapons, ammunition and various materials seized from caves, shelters and hideouts of terrorists discovered in the areas of the Pençe-Kilit operation have been confiscated and destroyed,” Aktürk noted.

He also provided updates on border security, stating that 122 individuals were apprehended during the week as part of intensified border control measures. Among them, two were confirmed members of a terrorist organisation. Since January 1, the total number of individuals detained for attempting illegal border crossings has reached 2,681.

Aktürk added that significant progress had been made under the ongoing “tunnel destruction” initiative launched on January 8.

“To date, 157 kilometres of tunnels in the Tel Rifaat area and 131 kilometres in the Manbij area have been destroyed,” he said, highlighting the Turkish military’s efforts to eliminate militant infrastructure along its southern border.

By Tamilla Hasanova