Türkiye ‘neutralizes’ 77 PKK members in northern Iraq, Syria

ANKARA (AA) – As many as 77 PKK members have been “neutralized” in airstrikes conducted in northern Iraq and Syria, Türkiye’s national defense minister said on Monday.

“A total of 78 targets, including caves, shelters, hideouts, and oil facilities assessed to be used by separatist terrorist organization and believed to contain terrorists at responsible levels, were destroyed through air operations conducted in the Metina, Hakurk, Gara, and Kandil regions in northern Iraq, as well as in northern Syria. A total of 77 terrorists were also neutralized,” Yasar Guler told video conference with high-ranking commanders of the Turkish Armed Forces.

“These operations ensure that the blood of our martyrs is not left in vain. Our fight against terrorism will continue with increasing intensity until there is not a single terrorist left. There should be no doubt that this will be pursued with determination and commitment, particularly against terrorist organizations such as the PKK, YPG, FETO, and ISIS/Daesh, with the concept of eradicating terrorism at its source,” he added.

Turkish authorities use the term “neutralize” to imply the terrorists in question were killed.

Following the killing of nine Turkish soldiers on Friday in an attack in northern Iraq, security forces began to crack down on PKK/YPG members.