Turkish soldier killed in military operation in northern Iraq

ANKARA (AA) – A Turkish soldier was killed in northern Iraq where the Turkish army launched Operation Claw-Lock to rid the area of terror elements, the National Defense Ministry has said.

Abdullah Bayram was killed after PKK fighters opened fire in the operation zone, according to the ministry.

The ministry expressed condolences to Bayram’s family, the Turkish Armed Forces and the Turkish nation.

Separately, Turkish soldiers also “neutralized” four PKK members in Operation Claw-Lock and Claw-Tiger zones in northern Iraq.

“Our heroic Turkish Armed Forces are continuing terror nests with steel claws,” said the ministry.

Turkish authorities use the term “neutralize” to imply that the targets in question surrendered, were killed or were captured.

Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock in April to target the PKK ‘s presence in Iraq’s northern Metina, Zap and Avasin-Basyan regions near the Turkish border.

It was preceded by Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle launched in 2020 to root out the PKK.

Meanwhile, two more PKK/YPG members, who opened fire on Turkish soldiers were also “neutralized” by the Turkish security forces in the Operation Euphrates Shield zone in northern Syria.

Since 2016, Ankara has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the PKK from planning activities and expansion: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).