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As the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) continue to advance and establish bases in northern Iraq’s Qandil region in the context of the ongoing counterterrorism operation, terrorists from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) are retreating from the frontlines without any resistance.
The TAF has established 20 temporary bases in Qandil since the start of the operation on March 10.
Senior terrorists targeted as military bases spread
Senior PKK terrorists are in a state of panic as the Turkish army continues to advance in the region.
Northern Iraq’s Qandil Mountains have been a haven for PKK terrorists over the past few decades. Considered as the main base of the PKK, which control checkpoints and entrances to the mountains, the structuring in the area is used for cover and concealment by terrorists.
A radio exchange between two senior terrorists revealed that the terror group is now mostly only able to move across the Iranian-controlled side of Mt. Qandil.
In their encrypted exchange intercepted by intelligence units, senior terrorists Muarat Karayılan and Jameel Bayık, who are currently positioned on what they called the “frontline,” accused and chided rank and file members of the terror group for not showing proper resistance.
“You’re not showing proper resistance. You don’t resist at all. We lost a large number of positions. If Qandil falls, it all ends,” they said, according to one of the obtained audio exchanges.
Security forces state that by establishing military bases in the region, the TAF has ensured a lasting PKK withdrawal from this region as it inflicts heavy material losses to the terror group, which is set to lose an important source of income after imposing a so-called “road and service tax” on civilians in the region.
At least 10 PKK terrorists were "neutralized" during operations in Turkey's eastern Bitlis province, said an Interior Ministry statement on Thursday.Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.In its statement, the ministry said the operation was conducted in a rural area of Bitlis' Hizan region.Operations are ongoing in the region, the statement added.The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU.In its terror campaign against Turkey, which has lasted for more than three decades, over 40,000 people have been killed, including many women and children.Turkish army destroys terror targets in N.IraqAirstrikes 'neutralize' three PKK terrorists in SE TurkeyTurkey neutralizes 24 terrorists in one week
At least 10 PKK terrorists 'neutralized' in Turkey's Bitlis
Eighty-seven terrorists neutralized
The Turkish military has neutralized 87 PKK terrorists during counterterrorism operations in southeastern Turkey's Şırnak province and northern Iraq over the past week.
Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question were either killed, captured or surrendered.
During the operations, 127 improvised explosives were also defused while 12 weapon emplacements and shelters were destroyed, it added.
In a statement released yesterday, the Turkish General Staff said airstrikes were carried out in the Sinat-Haftanin, Metina, and Gara regions of northern Iraq.
The Turkish army has destroyed shelters and ammunition depots used by terrorists in northern Iraq, the Turkish military said on Wednesday.In a statement, the Turkish General Staff said airstrikes were carried out in the Sinat-Haftanin, Metina, and Gara regions.Shelters, weapon emplacements, and ammunition depots were destroyed in the airstrikes, the statement added.Airstrikes on PKK targets in northern Iraq have been carried out regularly since July 2015, when the PKK resumed its decades-long armed campaign.The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU.In its terror campaign against Turkey, which has lasted for more than three decades, over 40,000 people have been killed, including many women and children.Turkey destroys PKK targets in northern Iraq air opIraqi PM calls for disarmament of PKK terrorist groupSeparately, Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar, in a statement, praised the Turkish Land Forces’ efforts to preserve Turkey’s interests and to contribute to global peace and stability in three continents, from Afghanistan to Kosovo, from Bosnia- Herzegovina to Qatar, and from Lebanon to Somalia.“The Land Forces will continue to fulfill any task it is assigned, as it has done so far, and will continue to be a source of pride for our noble nation,” he said.Akar’s statement came on the anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Land Forces.
Turkish army destroys terror targets in N.Iraq
The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) destroyed shelters, fighting holes and armories used by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in an air operation conducted in northern Iraq on Wednesday.The operation targeted northern Iraq’s Sinat, Haftanin, Metina and Gara areas, said a statement publish on the Turkish Armed Forces’ official Twitter account.Airstrikes on PKK targets in northern Iraq have been carried out regularly since July 2015, when the PKK resumed its decades-long armed campaign.Iraqi PM calls for disarmament of PKK terrorist groupNorthern Iraq’s Qandil Mountains have been a haven for PKK terrorists over the past few decades. Considered as the main base of the PKK, which control checkpoints and entrances to the mountains, the structuring in the area is used for cover and concealment by terrorists.The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- waged a terror campaign against Turkey for more than 30 years and has been responsible for the death of nearly 40,000 people.Talks on Manbij roadmap fruitful, productive: McGurkSeparately, Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar, in a statement, praised the Turkish Land Forces’ efforts to preserve Turkey’s interests and to contribute to global peace and stability in three continents, from Afghanistan to Kosovo, from Bosnia- Herzegovina to Qatar, and from Lebanon to Somalia.“The Land Forces will continue to fulfill any task it is assigned, as it has done so far, and will continue to be a source of pride for our noble nation,” he said.Akar’s statement came on the anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Land Forces.
Turkey destroys PKK targets in northern Iraq air op
Shelters, weapon emplacements, and ammunition depots were destroyed in the airstrikes, the statement added.
Airstrikes on PKK targets in northern Iraq have been carried out regularly since July 2015, when the PKK resumed its decades-long armed campaign.
The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey as well as the U.S. and the EU.
In its terror campaign against Turkey, which has lasted for more than three decades, over 40,000 people have been killed, including women and children.
Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Friday said Turkey must clear the Qandil swamp for good in order to live in peace."If we want to live in peace in our country we must clear off Qandil swamp for good and we must succeed,” Mevlut Cavusoglu told state-run TRT news channel. “Our security forces are continuing their successful counterterrorism operations against terrorists in mountains and in their caves,” he said.Referring to the terror group PKK and its Iranian version PJAK, he said they were are also a threat to Iran and the Iranian side knows that as well.Erdoğan sheds light on Turkey’s new presidential systemThe PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey as well as the U.S. and EU.In its terror campaign against Turkey, which has lasted for more than three decades, over 40,000 people have been killed, including women and children.
Turkey vows to clear 'Qandil swamp' for sake of peace
Turkish military “finished off” 35 key members of PKK terror group in an air operation in Mt. Qandil area of northern Iraq, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Thursday."In the second operation [in Qandil], we caught these leaders meeting and we finished off 35 important names there," Erdoğan said during his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party’s election rally in southeastern Kahramanmaraş province.Turkey has said the presence of terrorist groups near its border constitute a threat, and has launched military operations and other efforts to rid the region of terrorists.Video: Hundreds of thousands of supporters greet Erdoğan in SE TurkeyOperation Euphrates Shield, which began in August 2016 and ended in March 2017, was aimed at eliminating the terrorist threat along the Turkish border with the use of the Free Syrian Army, backed by Turkish artillery and air cover.On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to remove YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from northwestern Syria's Afrin region. On March 18, Day 58 of the operation, Turkish troops, and Free Syrian Army members liberated the town of Afrin.On Monday, the Turkish and U.S. forces began patrols in Syria's Manbij in line with a deal which was first announced after a meeting in Washington last week between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.Turkey 'has 11 temporary military bases' in north IraqThe Manbij deal focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city in order to stabilize the region.Should the model prove to be a success, Turkey will push for a similar arrangement in eastern Syria.In its over-30-year terrorist campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives, including those of women and children. The YPG/PKK is its Syrian branch.PYD/YPG will start to leave Syria's Manbij on July 4, says Turkish FMTurkish airstrikes cause serious losses to PKK in Iraq
Erdoğan: 35 key PKK terrorists ‘finished off’ in Qandil