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Turkish military “neutralized” 10 PKK terrorists in airstrikes carried out in northern Iraq, the Turkish Defense Ministry said on Sunday.
Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.
In a Twitter post, the ministry said the airstrikes were carried out in Gara and Hakurk regions on Saturday and Sunday.
The terrorists were plotting attack on Turkish bases, the post said.
It added that shelters and caves belonging to the terror group were also destroyed in the airstrikes.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.
Turkish army "neutralized" a total of 20 PKK terrorists in airstrikes carried out in northern Iraq, the military said on Saturday.Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.In a Twitter post, the Turkish General Staff said they conducted the airstrikes that killed 7 terrorists in Zap and Hakurk regions on Dec. 14-15.The terrorists were plotting attack on Turkish bases, it said.Turkey to continue anti-terror ops. in N Iraq’s SinjarTurkey helps Iraqi refugees who fled Daesh go homeIt added that shelters and caves belonging to the terror group were also destroyed in the airstrikes.Turkish Army also neutralized 13 more terrorists in northern Iraq, the defense ministry said Saturday evening.In a Twitter message, Turkish Defense Ministry said Turkey carried out airstrikes in Gara region killing 13 terrorists and destroying several shelters and caves of the terrorist group.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.Over 30 terror targets destroyed in N. Iraq operationTurkish military conducts airstrikes in northern Iraq21 Daesh prisoners escape Iraqi jail, most recaptured
Turkish army ‘neutralizes’ 20 PKK terrorists in N Iraq
The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (SMDK) has voiced support for Turkey’s planned military operation in Syria, east of the Euphrates River, near Turkish borders.In a statement, Abdurrahman Mustafa, head of the coalition, said the Syrian people continue to suffer at the hands of the Bashar al-Assad regime forces, as well as Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hezbollah and the PYD.YPG/PKK terrorists continue to pose threat to TurkeyTurkey’s planned operation gives hope to SyriansAny military operation to eliminate these terror groups "will be welcomed and supported by us," Mustafa said, adding: "We are working with our Turkish ally to liberate all cities and towns from the control of terrorist forces."He also stressed that all the Free Syrian Army members stand ready to cooperate and join in the upcoming military operation."We share this view with the Turkish Republic the separatist projects and terror constitute a direct threat to Turkey’s national security as well as to Syria’s territorial integrity and unity," he added.On Wednesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that within days Turkey would launch an operation east of the Euphrates to clear the region of PKK/YPG terrorists.Previously, Turkey launched two successful anti-terror operations since 2016 to foil the formation of a “terror corridor” along Turkey’s border.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.
Syrian opposition backs Turkey’s planned operation
The YPG/PKK terror group continues to pose a threat to Turkish territories using the internal conflict in Syria as an opportunity.The terrorist organization, which occupied a 480-kilometer (298 miles) of land on Turkey-Syria border, recently increased its activities against Turkey.In the last three years, Turkey came under many harassment fires by the terrorists.Their efforts to carry out terror activities inside Turkey have been prevented by successful operations of security forces, who seized large amounts of explosives in border cities such as Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep, Mardin and Sanliurfa.- Operation Olive Branch dealt heavy blow to YPG/PKKThe Operation Olive Branch, which was conducted by Turkish Armed Forces in Afrin, ended the terror group YPG/PKK’s presence in northwestern Syria.The terrorists targeting civilians in Hatay and Kilis provinces killed seven people, while injuring 113 others by rockets and mortars they fired as Turkey started operation in the region.During the operation, terrorists carried out rocket and mortar attacks 60 times on Hatay, and 34 times on Kilis.The terrorists also targeted a mosque in Kilis, and caused the death of two civilians.Many houses, vehicles and shops were damaged in the residential areas in the two provinces, which came under the terror attacks.- Harassment fires on police stationsIn 2015-2017, the YPG/PKK conducted 12 attacks on border posts in Hatay and Kilis, and martyred two soldiers, and injured another.In April 2017, the terrorists attacked a tank with a howitzer in Sanliurfa province. Turkish forces responded the attack, which caused no loss of lives.During the same period, the YPG/PKK terrorists attacked border posts in Mardin five times. Three soldiers were slightly injured, while security forces destroyed terror targets in a response.In January 2018, the terrorists also targeted border posts in Mardin’s Nusaybin district with harassment fires for two days in a row. No loss was reported in the attacks.- Plans to drown cities in bloodEight Syrian suspects carrying 146 kilograms (321 pounds) of explosives were captured as they tried to enter Turkey from the YPG/PKK-occupied region of Syria in July 2017.One of the terrorists confessed in his testimony that they had buried some of the explosives in soil after covering them with powdered chili pepper to prevent detector dogs from finding them.In August 2018, security forces seized 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of explosives from a vehicle travelling from Hatay to Gaziantep. More explosives of 5 kilograms (11 pounds) were also found in a raid at homes of the terrorists.Last month, a terrorist, who entered Turkey from YPG/PKK-controlled Tal Abyad region and learned to have been trained to be a suicide bomber, was captured in Gaziantep.Over 247 kilograms (544 pounds) of explosives were also seized from a vehicle during controls in Mardin province. The terrorists, who brought the explosives into Turkey, were preparing to carry out attacks in metropolitan cities of the country.Eight anti-personnel rocket launcher ammunition headers, nine propelling cartridges and 67 Kalashnikov rifle magazines belonging to the YPG/PKK terrorist organization were found in the Bulamacli village of Kilis.In 2016-2018, five tunnels, measuring 35 meters (114 feet) by 400 meters (1,312 feet), were found by security forces in Mardin’s Nusaybin district. The tunnels heading to Syria’s Kamisli region were destroyed by security forces.
YPG/PKK terrorists continue to pose threat to Turkey