Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler moved toward the Iraqi border as clashes with Kurdistan Workers’ Party militants intensified, according to reports from RIA News. The scene unfolded at first light when the minister, who has been directing operations from the Night Air Force Operations Center, led a contingent toward frontline lines. The official message stressed that Minister Yaşar Güler was accompanied by the Turkish Armed Forces’ senior command staff, underscoring the high level of real-time oversight and strategic coordination behind the operation. The presence of top military leadership signals a plan to apply coordinated air and ground pressure aimed at degrading militant capabilities in the border region while maintaining clear civilian safety considerations. The account suggests that the mission is being conducted with prompt, decisive action and constant communication among frontline units and the leadership echelon. (attribution: Ministry of National Defense press briefing)
Earlier, communications from the Turkish Ministry of Defense indicated that a cross-border operation into Northern Iraq would be undertaken to counter the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey and several other states. The decision followed the death of a number of Turkish soldiers in prior attacks, a development that has intensified the federal government’s resolve to address threats perceived as destabilizing to the region. In the most recent reports, six Turkish troops were confirmed killed in the attacks attributed to PKK militants in Northern Iraq, a casualty figure that underscores the severity of the confrontation and the operational tempo of the mission. The updates reflect ongoing assessments and the shifting risk calculus for troops operating in the frontline zones, with authorities publicly outlining intentions and casualty figures as part of routine transparency and to inform allied partners. (attribution: Ministry of National Defense statements)
The Defence Ministry later issued further details about the Claw-Kale operation area, noting that six soldiers died and one soldier sustained injuries amid ongoing clashes with PKK elements. Preliminary data cited by the ministry indicated that a number of terrorists had been neutralized in the course of the engagement, a reflection of the effort to degrade an organized insurgent network operating near the border. While casualty figures and counts of neutralized militants can evolve with new intelligence, the emphasis from official channels remains on rapid response, mission clarity, and the synchronization of air and land components to create favorable conditions on the ground. The communications also highlighted the ongoing assessment of operational progress and the need to adapt tactics as the situation develops. (attribution: Turkish Ministry of National Defense)
Meanwhile, diplomatic channels were active in parallel with military operations. Reports noted that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed the broader situation across Transcaucasia, signaling a broader geopolitical texture to the security environment surrounding Northern Iraq and adjacent regions. The exchanges appear to reflect ongoing efforts by Ankara to coordinate with international partners and allies while pursuing a security objective seen as critical to Ankara’s national defense, regional stability, and counterterrorism goals. The dialogue underscores how military actions in one arena can dovetail with political and diplomatic efforts aimed at preserving regional security architectures. (attribution: foreign ministry briefings)