Turkish Soldier Killed, Six Injured in Northern Iraq Operations

Turkey’s Defense Ministry announced the death of one soldier and the injury of six others during the two military offensives launched on Friday against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) targets in northern Iraq.

Turkish forces attacked the PKK in Avasin-Basyan and Metina areas near Duhok’s border with Turkey, in two operations dubbed “Claw-Lightning” and “Claw-Thunderbolt.”

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Turkish forces neutralized 31 PKK elements in the new ground-and-air offensives.

He carried out an inspection visit to the 3rd Infantry Division Command in Yuksekova district of Turkey’s southeastern Hakkari province, accompanied by Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) commanders.

“Our fight is against all terrorists,” Akar stressed, noting that Turkey will continue launching “anti-terror operations” until the last terrorist is neutralized.

“So far, a total of 1,132 terror targets have been hit with our land fire support vehicles. Our Air Force also achieved great success as a whole, hitting 120 targets in total.”

The armed forces are determined to protect 84 million Turkish citizens from the threats posed by all terrorist organizations, Akar noted.

He highlighted PKK’s presence in northern Iraq, stressing that its elements continue to create hideouts in anticipation of an attack by the Turkish armed forces.