Turkish army "neutralized" a total of 20 PKK terrorists in airstrikes carried out in northern Iraq
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 will continue its anti-terror operations in northern Iraq’s Sinjar region as long as terror groups exist in Iraq, the foreign ministry spokesman said on Saturday.In a written statement, Hami Aksoy said PKK terror group has used Iraqi soil as a base to attack Turkey for many years.“As a result of these attacks, tens of thousands of our people were killed," Aksoy said. "Activities of PKK terror group in Iraqi and Syrian soils have been a national security issue for Turkey."“As long as terror organizations exist on Iraqi soil, these counter-terror operations will continue," he said.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.US's Syria envoy Jeffrey visits PKK in Hasakah as Turkish op loomsYPG/PKK’s terror structure in region east of Euphrates‘Purging Manbij of PKK terrorists will pave the way for Raqqa’s liberation’
Turkey to continue anti-terror ops. in N Iraq’s Sinjar
Some 400 Iraqi refugees who sought refuge from Daesh terrorists in Iraq by going to neighboring Syria are set to return home with help from Turkey.The move comes as a result of joint humanitarian diplomatic efforts of the Turkish and Iraqi foreign ministries along with the Istanbul-based Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH).After going through customs, the refugees were taken by bus to a buffer zone near the Oncupinar Border Crossing between Kilis, southeastern Turkey and Syria.Officials from Iraq’s Consulate and the Kilis migration office examined the refugees, who were provided with winter clothes and shoes by the IHH charity foundation.The refugees had taken shelter in Syria after fleeing Ramadi, Fallujah, Mosul, Kirkuk and Tel Afar once Daesh terrorists took control of most of these Iraqi cities in 2014.Daesh terrorists say Strasbourg shooter was one of its members, gives no evidenceTurkish supportIraq's government will continue to stand by its citizens, Qaddo Muhammad Nuri, an Iraqi immigration official, told Anadolu Agency.He also expressed thanks for the support of Turkey and the IHH’s logistic help in returning the refugees.Abdullah Altay, coordinator of the IHH's humanitarian diplomacy unit, said the Iraqis’ return was the fruit of negotiations with Iraqi government officials.These refugee children will have the opportunity for a better life in Iraq, he added.Mohammad Jasim, an Iraqi refugee from Fallujah, expressed his joy at being able to go back to Iraq."During our stay in Syria we always dreamed of going home," Jasim said.To date, humanitarian diplomatic efforts by Turkey, Iraq, and the IHH have facilitated the return of 7,000 Iraqis from Syria.The three parties are also in negotiations for the return of another 6,000 Iraqis.After Daesh terrorists took over one-third of Iraqi territory in 2014, millions were forced to flee mass destruction in regions such as Mosul, Anbar, and Saladin.Damage and destruction were seen in thousands of settlements as well as at Mosul Airport, Mosul University, most railway stations, and bridges and hospitals in the old city of the northern city of Mosul. There are dozens of mass graves of victims of Daesh in Mosul and Saladin.The U.S.-led coalition, formed in October 2014 to combat Daesh, provided the Iraqi administration with support, particularly through airstrikes.21 Daesh prisoners escape Iraqi jail, most recaptured
Turkey helps Iraqi refugees who fled Daesh go home
It 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.
Turkish jets have destroyed over 30 terror targets in northern Iraq in an overnight operation, the Defense Ministry said in a statement on Friday.The army used over 20 warplanes as well as drones and refueling aircrafts during the operation in which the Mount Karajak area was hit for the first time, it said.It further stated that the terror targets in northern Iraq were determined in coordination with the intelligence units, adding the utmost care for the safety of civilians and environment was taken.Earlier on Thursday, the Turkish Defense Ministry said in a statement that the air operation was conducted to “neutralize” PKK/KCK/PYD/YPG and other terrorist elements.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.Those closest to Saudi's crown prince had an active role in Khashoggi murder: Erdoğan
Over 30 terror targets destroyed in N. Iraq operation
The Turkish Armed Forces on Thursday conducted airstrikes against “hotbeds of terrorism” in northern Iraq’s Sinjar and Mount Karacak regions, which terrorists have been using as their bases, a statement said.According to the statement by the Turkish Defense Ministry, the air operation was conducted to “neutralize” PKK/KCK/PYD/YPG and other terrorist elements."The operation targeted housing facilities, shelters, caves, tunnels, and storage units used by terrorists that threaten our country, nation, and border security," it said.In the planning and implementation stages of the operation, the statement said, Turkey exercised due caution to prevent civilian casualties and damage to civilian property, and to protect the environment.Fahrettin Altun, Communications Director of Turkish Presidency, said in a Twitter post that a successful air operation targeted Sinjar and Mount Karacak, which are among the "important" centers of terror elements."This operation dealt a blow to terror and it was a message to terror supporters," he added.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.
Turkish military conducts airstrikes in northern Iraq
Twenty one prisoners, most of them members of Daesh jailed on terrorism charges, broke out of a prison in northern Iraq but 15 of them have been recaptured, security officials said on Thursday.The fortified jail of Sosa is located near the northern Iraqi city of Sulaimaniya and include mainly prisoners from the terror group who were captured during the fight against Daesh which started in 2014.Security officials launched manhunt operations after the break-out late on Wednesday and 15 of the 21 were recaptured, two security officials said. The whereabouts of the other six remains unknown.Although Sosa jail is located in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, the federal government has full control over the prison.It was not clear how the inmates managed to escape the highly secured prison.
21 Daesh prisoners escape Iraqi jail, most recaptured