Turkey Claims to Target 70 PKK-Related Bases in Syria and Iraq

Turkey announced on Wednesday that in retaliation for the deaths of several of its soldiers in northern Iraq, it has targeted over 70 sites associated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Syria and Iraq. According to the Associated Press, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler stated in a video message on social media platform X that at least 59 Kurdish militants were killed in recent airstrikes and ground clashes. Turkish officials reported that PKK-affiliated militants attempted to infiltrate a Turkish military base in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq on Friday, leading to clashes that resulted in the deaths of 12 Turkish soldiers. In response, Turkey targeted areas in Iraq and Syria. The Turkish military frequently conducts operations against targets in these two countries that it believes are linked to the PKK, which has been in conflict with the Turkish government since the 1980s. Ankara believes northern Iraq has become a safe haven for PKK militants, with their leaders based there. Turkey, the European Union, and the United States have designated this group as a terrorist organization. The Turkish military also reported neutralizing 26 militants in retaliatory strikes in Syria and Iraq. Turkish warplanes targeted PKK positions in northern Iraq. Turkey stated that all facilities of Kurdish militants in Syria and Iraq are legitimate targets. Additionally, Turkey's operations in northern Iraq have led to the arrest of 20 individuals in Istanbul and several other cities. A suicide bombing in front of Turkey's Ministry of Interior injured two police officers.