Türkiye Neutralizes 44 Terrorists, Including Cross-Border Operations in Northern Iraq and Syria
Ankara, The Gulf Observer: The National Defence Ministry of Türkiye announced on Thursday that 44 terrorists were neutralized over the past week, with operations extending across the border into northern Iraq and Syria. The term “neutralize” is used by Turkish authorities to denote the surrender, killing, or capture of terrorists.
According to spokesman Zeki Akturk, a total of 359 terrorists have been targeted since the beginning of January, with 144 operations conducted in northern Iraq and 215 in northern Syria. The announcement came during a press briefing in the capital city, Ankara.
Türkiye has been actively countering terrorism, and these operations reflect the ongoing efforts to address security threats emanating from the presence of terrorist organizations, particularly the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) and its Syrian branch, the YPG (People’s Protection Units).
The PKK, labeled as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has been engaged in a terror campaign against Türkiye for more than 35 years. The group is responsible for over 40,000 casualties, including women, children, and infants.
The YPG, an extension of the PKK operating in Syria, has also been a focus of Türkiye’s counter-terrorism efforts. Both organizations often seek refuge across Türkiye’s border in northern Iraq and Syria, using these regions as bases to plan and execute attacks on Turkish forces and local populations.
The National Defence Ministry’s announcement underscores Türkiye’s commitment to maintaining regional security and eliminating threats posed by terrorist activities. The country remains vigilant in its efforts to safeguard its citizens and maintain stability in the face of persistent security challenges.
