Turkey conducts air operation on PKK targets in northern Iraq

TURKEY has carried out an air operation on PKK targets in northern Iraq’s Qandil, Gara, Hakurk and Zap regions, the defense ministry announced on Friday.

It stated that close to 40 targets consisting of caves, shelters, ammunition depots and so-called headquarters of terrorists were destroyed in the operation.

It added that, with these operations, the army inflicted a heavy blow on the PKK terror group.

Turkish security forces have ramped up their efforts against the PKK terrorists at home and across the country’s borders and have been carrying out successful operations to eliminate senior terrorists.

Determined to eliminate terrorism at its source, Turkey is throttling the terrorist group in northern Iraq. Northern Iraq is known to have many PKK terrorist hideouts and bases from where they carry out attacks on Turkey.

The Turkish military regularly conducts cross-border operations in northern Iraq. Turkey has long been stressing that it will not tolerate terrorist threats posed against its national security and has called on Iraqi officials to take the necessary steps to eliminate the terrorist group. Ankara previously noted that if the expected steps were not taken, it would not shy away from targeting terrorist threats.

PKK terrorist targets are being struck in the Metina, Avashin-Basyan, Zap and Qandil regions. In addition to F-16 fighter jets, border artillery units, fire support elements in the forward base areas and attack helicopters are participating in the operation.

The PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, has waged a terror campaign against Turkey for more than four decades and has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.