The Turkish security forces killed 13 militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in cross-border operations in northern Iraq, Türkiye’s Defense Ministry said on Friday.
The PKK members were “neutralized” in the “Operation Claw-Lock” zone and Hakurk region, the ministry said in a statement.
Turkish authorities often use the term “neutralize” in their statements to imply that the alleged “terrorists” have either surrendered, been killed, or been captured.
The Turkish forces frequently carry out ground operations, airstrikes, and artillery bombardments against the PKK targets in northern Iraq, particularly in the Qandil Mountains, the main base of the group, and have killed several senior PKK cadres.
Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock in April 2022 to fight against the PKK members in the northern Iraqi region near the Turkish border.
The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States and the European Union, has rebelled against the Turkish government for more than three decades.
