Image Credits: Daily Sabah
In a significant escalation of its counterterrorism operations, Turkey has announced the elimination of 106 terrorists from the PKK and YPG in Syria and Iraq over the past week. This includes 15 terrorists killed on Friday alone.
The Defense Ministry reported that 11 PKK/YPG terrorists were neutralized in northern Iraq’s Qandil, Asos, Gara, and Hakurk regions. In contrast, four others were killed in the Operation Euphrates Shield areas in the north of Syria.
Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, the ministry’s spokesperson, revealed during a weekly briefing on Thursday that a total of 94 terrorists had been eliminated in the past week. This count includes one person categorized as highly wanted on the terrorism red list. Aktürk also noted that the total number of terrorists eliminated in northern Iraq and Syria since January 1 has reached 1,521, with 726 killed in the north of Iraq and 795 in the north of Syria.
In addition to the military operations, Turkish forces apprehended 395 individuals, including eight members of terrorist organizations, who attempted to cross the border illegally over the past week. Another 834 individuals were prevented from crossing. Since the beginning of the year, 7,102 people have been apprehended for illegal border crossings, and 66,059 have been prevented from crossing.
The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU, has been waging a nearly 40-year-long insurgency against Turkey, resulting in over 40,000 deaths, including women and children. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot and has been a primary target of Turkey’s military campaigns.
Since 2016, Turkey has launched a series of successful operations in northern Syria to prevent the establishment of a terror corridor and facilitate the peaceful settlement of residents. These operations include Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reiterated Turkey’s commitment to eradicating the PKK. In response to questions about a potential summer offensive in Iraq, Erdoğan stated, “They are going to pay the price. Counterterrorism isn’t merely about numbers, and certainty is elusive. Nonetheless, our battle will persist until the very end. Their end is near. We will end this issue. We are retaliating, and they are desperate, seeking support. Yet, they will fail. Our soldiers, police, and intelligence forces are actively pursuing them and closing in. Those caves cannot protect them.”
This renewed vigour in Turkey’s counterterrorism operations underscores its determination to eliminate the PKK and YPG threats and ensure national security.