ERBIL — Turkey's defense ministry claimed on Thursday that its forces “destroyed” 37 Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) targets in the border areas of the Kurdistan Region.
According to a ministry statement quoted by state media Anadolu Agency, the air operation targeted senior PKK members in Metina, Gara, Hakurk, Qandil, and Asos. The operation was conducted under the "legitimate self-defense rights" outlined in Article 51 of the UN Charter.
"Using a maximum amount of domestically produced ammunition, 37 targets consisting of caves, shelters, hideouts, depots, and facilities were destroyed, and many PKK members were neutralized," the ministry said. They also assured that measures were taken to avoid civilian casualties and damage to historical sites and the environment.
The PKK, recognized as a “terrorist” organization by Turkey, has been engaged in armed conflict with the Turkish state since 1984. Its strongholds in the Kurdistan Region are often the focus of Turkish airstrikes and artillery attacks, which have led to civilian casualties and the displacement of numerous villages.
In April, during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Baghdad, he discussed with Iraqi leaders, including Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, the ongoing efforts to combat the PKK. Erdogan stressed Iraq's role in eradicating the PKK and called for increased cooperation between the two nations.
Recently, Sudani reaffirmed Iraq's commitment to tackling “the PKK threat”. He pledged to enhance collaboration with Turkey on counterterrorism efforts, water management, trade routes, and the energy sector in the coming months.