The Turkish Armed Forces have reported the destruction of 17 targets tied to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, a group classified as a terrorist organization within Turkey, during an air operation targeting militant sites in Northern Iraq. The statement indicates that the strikes focused on locations across key northern Iraqi districts and mountain fronts, with the aim of limiting PKK activity in the region. According to official channels, the air operation occurred in the Gara, Metina, Hakurk, and Kandil areas, all situated in the northern expanses of Iraq where PKK presence has long been noted. The Turkish defense ministry emphasized that the operation resulted in the destruction of 17 terrorist targets and the neutralization of a significant number of militants, underscoring the government’s resolve to confront threats to national security. Initial reports from the ministry described the action as a clear demonstration of determination and readiness to respond to attacks on Turkish soil. The assertion reflects the ongoing assessment by Ankara that northern Iraq remains a critical theater in its fight against the PKK.
Earlier updates from Turkish authorities indicated that 15 objects in Northern Iraq had been destroyed during similar air operations aimed at PKK targets. The repeated emphasis on these strikes illustrates a broader, continuing campaign designed to degrade the group’s operational capabilities across the region. The Turkish side frames the actions as necessary steps in preserving civilian safety and stabilizing border security, particularly in response to past militant movements and threats.
The broader security narrative notes that Ankara has maintained air operation activity in both northern Syria and Iraq following a PKK-linked incident in the Turkish capital. On the date in question, a vehicle carrying militants reportedly arrived near the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Ankara, where a terrorist event unfolded, including an explosion and a subsequent shootout with law enforcement. In that incident, two police officers sustained minor injuries, and the assailants were neutralized. Turkish officials have linked these events to the PKK’s broader strategy, prompting intensified cross-border actions and calls for regional stability.
Amid these developments, government spokespeople have reiterated the stance that security operations are part of a sustained effort to prevent further attacks and to protect civilians and critical infrastructure. The leadership has stressed that any terrorist activity will be met with firm and decisive responses. The ongoing campaign is framed as a key component of Turkey’s national defense posture and its regional security objectives.