70 Members of PKK Killed in Recent Battles with Turkish Army

Turkey claims that in a recent "extensive operation" conducted by its army, at least 70 members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and two soldiers have been killed. These clashes have not been limited to Turkish territory and have also targeted this group's positions in northern Iraq. According to the Turkish army, fighter jets from the country have carried out extensive attacks from the Diyarbakir airbase in southeastern Turkey, including against PKK camps in northern Iraq. A statement released on this matter noted that "operations in the region will continue vigorously until a ceasefire order is issued." The Turkish army stated that "the priority in this operation is to ensure the security of security forces and civilian citizens." At least two Turkish soldiers have also been killed in these clashes, and several security personnel, including police, have been injured in various areas. It appears that a significant portion of the attacks occurred in the border region of "Cizre" (Cizre Ibn Umar) and "Silopi." Both cities, located on the Syrian border, are under martial law and are among the main centers of the latest Turkish operations against Kurdish militants. Turkish media reports that up to 10,000 police and army forces, supported by tanks and heavy vehicles, have participated in the new operation. Senior military officials in Turkey visited the forces involved in the operation on Saturday. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently threatened that Kurdish militants would be "destroyed." Turkey considers the PKK a terrorist organization. A two-year ceasefire between Kurdish militants and Turkish forces effectively broke down last summer, and the fighting, which has lasted for three decades, has intensified again. Over the years, more than 40,000 people have lost their lives.