Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar announces country’s new ground and air strikes in northern Iraq
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar announces country’s new ground and air strikes in northern Iraq
Turkey has launched a new cross-border ground and air-border operation against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq, Turkey’s defense minister announced early Monday.
Turkish jets and artillery attacked targets belonging to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, and commando troops – supported by helicopters and drones – then crossed into the area from the ground or were airlifted by helicopters, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar posted. Said in a video made. Ministry website.
Mr Akar said the jets successfully struck shelters, bunkers, caves, tunnels, ammunition depots and headquarters belonging to the PKK. The group maintains bases in northern Iraq and uses the area for attacks on Turkey.
Turkey has conducted several cross-border air and ground operations against the PKK over the past decades. The latest offensive was centered in the Matina, Zaap and Avashin-Basyan regions of northern Iraq, Mr Akar said.
“Our operation continues successfully as planned. The targets set for the first phase have been achieved.
There was no information about the number of troops and jets involved in the latest incursion.
“We are committed to save our great nation from the terror misfortune that has plagued our nation for 40 years,” Mr. Akar said. “Our struggle will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated.” The Defense Ministry later said that the offensive, dubbed “Operation Claw Lock”, was launched after it was determined that terrorists were regrouping and preparing for a “massive attack”. The ministry said the offensive was carried out “in coordination with Turkey’s “friends and allies”, but did not elaborate. Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Prime Minister Masrour Barzani of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region, which controls the areas that were attacked.
The Turkish minister said the infiltration was targeting “terrorists” and was showing “maximum sensitivity” to avoid damage to civilians and cultural and religious structures.
There was no immediate statement from the Kurdish militant group.
The PKK, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union, has killed tens of thousands of people since the 1984 insurgency began in Turkey’s majority Kurdish southeast region.