Turkish Army: We 'Neutralized' 26 Militants in Retaliatory Strikes in Syria and Iraq

The Turkish Army announced that in response to the killing of 12 of its soldiers in clashes with PKK militants over the past weekend, it conducted several airstrikes in Syria and northern Iraq. On Monday, January 4, Turkey's air force attacked PKK positions in Syria and northern Iraq, claiming to have 'neutralized' 26 Kurdish militants and arrested dozens of opposition Kurdish activists. According to Reuters, Ankara officials stated that at least 26 militants were 'neutralized' in these attacks, a term commonly used by Ankara instead of 'killed.' Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler also mentioned on Sunday that 30 PKK militants were neutralized in an area in northern Iraq where Turkey conducts cross-border operations, bringing the total number of PKK militants killed in recent days to 56. The PKK, recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has been armed against the Turkish government since 1984. As part of its campaign against PKK militants based in Turkey's border regions, Turkish forces regularly conduct operations in neighboring Iraq. Turkish security sources reported on Monday that police also arrested 52 others during a youth event organized by the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc stated on social media that the suspects were charged with 'praising crime and criminals' and 'propaganda for a terrorist organization.' The HDP, the third-largest party in the Turkish parliament, condemned the arrests as politically motivated and called for the immediate release of those detained. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya later announced that authorities had initiated investigations into 57 social media accounts accused of posting content against the Turkish armed forces, adding that four individuals were arrested as part of this operation. Yerlikaya stated on social media that 'those who attempt to sow discord among our people, praise terrorism, and insult our national and moral values will continue to be held accountable under the law.' Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government have repeatedly accused the HDP of having links to the PKK, and in recent years, officials have arrested dozens of the party's members and leaders. The HDP denies any connection to PKK militants.