Turkish military ‘neutralizes’ 4 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq

Terrorists targeted in Operation Claw-Lock zone, says National Defense Ministry

Turkish security forces “neutralized” four PKK terrorists in northern Iraq during an anti-terror operation, National Defense Ministry said on Monday.

The terrorists were targeted in the Operation Claw-Lock zone, the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added that they are resolute in their efforts to eliminate terrorism from its source.

“Türkiye will resolutely continue to fight against terrorism,” it added.

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

PKK terrorists have hideouts in northern Iraq, across the Turkish border, which they use to plot attacks on Türkiye.

Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock last year in April to target the terrorist group PKK’s hideouts in the Metina, Zap and Avasin-Basyan regions of northern Iraq, located near the Turkish border.

It was preceded by two operations – Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle – launched in 2020 to root out terrorists hiding out in northern Iraq and plotting cross-border attacks in Türkiye.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.