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Turkey neutralizes 56 members of Kurdistan Workers’ Party in its operation in Iraq

Ankara considers the PKK a terrorist organization and one of the main threats to its national security

ANKARA, April 25. /TASS/. Turkey’s armed forces neutralized 56 members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) during its new trans-border operation in northern Iraq.

"According to preliminary data, during the Claw-Lock special operation in northern Iraq, 56 terrorists were neutralized," Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told reporters on Monday.

Ankara considers the PKK a terrorist organization and one of the main threats to its national security.

On the night of April 18, the Turkish armed forces launched a new military operation against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in northern Iraq involving the country’s air force and special forces. Turkish fighter jets carried out air strikes on the Iraqi regions of Metina, Zap and Avashin. Akar said that the goals of the first stage of the operation had been attained. He also said that the sole aim of the Turkish military was to eliminate terrorists. Extreme caution is being used in order to ensure that civilians, and the environment, as well as cultural and religious objects are not endangered. Earlier on Monday, the Turkish defense minister announced that the first stage of the operation was complete.

Turkey’s armed forces have been carrying out precision strikes on targets in Iraq where the PKK has camps, shelters, command posts and armories. Such trans-border operations are approved by the parliament which for the past several years has been extending a corresponding mandate issued for one year. Baghdad has invariably condemned the actions of Turkish troops as violating Iraq’s sovereignty.

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