Ankara [Turkey], December 30: The Turkish forces on Friday carried out cross-border airstrikes against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq, the country's Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The air operations were carried out in the Metina, Hakurk, Gara, and Asos regions and hit 16 caves, caches, and shelters thought to be used by senior PKK members, said the statement, adding that a large number of "terrorists" were also "neutralized."
Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralized" in their statements to imply the "terrorists" in question surrendered or were killed or captured.
The ministry said the operations aimed to eliminate "terrorist attacks" from northern Iraq and to ensure "border security," claiming the action was in line with Türkiye's rights to self-defense.
Last week, 12 Turkish soldiers were killed in clashes with PKK militants in northern Iraq, which prompted several air and ground operations against the group's hideouts.
The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States and the European Union, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for more than three decades.
Source: Xinhua