Turkey launches new ground and air cross-border offensive against Kurdish extremists in northern Iraq
From the Associated Press
April 18, 2022, 07:11
• 2 minutes reading
Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Email this article
ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey has launched a new ground and air cross-border offensive against Kurdish extremists in northern Iraq, Turkey’s defense minister announced early Monday.
Turkish jets and artillery hit targets belonging to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, and commando troops – backed by helicopters and drones – then crossed the region by land or were airlifted by helicopter, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said. in a video posted on the ministry’s website.
Akar said the jets had successfully hit shelters, bunkers, caves, tunnels, ammunition depots and PKK headquarters. The group maintains bases in northern Iraq and has used the territory to attack Turkey.
In recent decades, Turkey has conducted numerous cross-border air and ground operations against the PKK. The latest offensive was concentrated in the Metina, Zap and Avashin-Basyan regions of northern Iraq, Akar said.
“Our operation continues successfully as planned. The goals set for the first phase have been achieved, “Akar said.
There was no information on the number of troops and planes involved in the latest invasion.
“We are determined to save our noble nation from the terrorist disaster that has plagued our country for 40 years,” Akar said. “Our struggle will continue until the last terrorist is neutralized.
The defense ministry later said the offensive, called Operation Claw Lock, began after extremists were found to be regrouping and preparing for a “large-scale attack”.
The offensive was carried out in co-ordination with Turkey’s “friends and allies”, the ministry added, but did not give details. Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Masrur Barzani, prime minister of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region, which controls the attacked areas.
The Turkish minister said the invasion was aimed at “terrorists” and that “maximum sensitivity” had been demonstrated to avoid damage to civilian, cultural and religious structures.
There was no immediate statement from the Kurdish group.
Tens of thousands have been killed since the PKK, which has been identified as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, launched a riot in Turkey’s southeastern region with a majority of Kurds in 1984.
Add Comment