Turkey has carried out multiple airstrikes in northern Iraq, targeting the banned insurgent group PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) with the intention of establishing its presence there. Turkey claims that this operation has resulted in the killing or neutralization of many militants belonging to the insurgent group.
According to the Turkish Ministry of National Defense and the Police Headquarters, this operation was conducted several hours after a suicide bombing attempt by terrorists in front of the Ministry of National Defense and the Police Headquarters. In this airstrike, 20 targets associated with the PKK in Gara, Haqqurk, Metina, and Qandil areas of Iraq were destroyed. The Turkish Ministry of Defense states that the airstrikes targeted PKK’s caves, depots, and bunkers.
Pro-Kurdish media outlets supported by the PKK have alleged that Turkey has targeted Mount Qandil, near the Iranian border, in this operation. They consider this area as a stronghold of the PKK.
The Turkish Ministry of National Defense has stated that the aim of this campaign was to counter terrorist attacks originating from northern Iraq, protect our people, and ensure the security of our borders.
Prior to this, on Sunday (October 1st), two suicide bombers attempted an attack in the Turkish capital, Ankara. The suicide bombing took place in front of the Ministry of National Defense building. PKK has claimed responsibility for this suicide attack, confirming its involvement. The attack targeted the Turkish Ministry of National Defense.
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) is considered a terrorist group by Turkey, the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom, and the United States.
