Security forces 'neutralize' 12 PKK members in Iraq, Syria

ANKARA

Turkish forces have "neutralized" 12 PKK members in operations conducted in northern Iraq and Syria, the Defense Ministry said on Aug. 2.

"Neither northern Iraq nor northern Syria is safe for terrorists," the ministry said in a post on X.

According to the statement, eight PKK members were neutralized in northern Syria's Tel Rifaat region, while the remaining four were in the Haftanin region of northern Iraq.

Turkish authorities use the term "neutralize" to indicate that the individuals in question have surrendered, been killed or captured.

PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States and the European Union.

In recent remarks, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called for the eradication of PKK from Syria and Iraq.

Syria must be "cleared of terrorism, especially areas occupied by PKK," Fidan told Sky News Arabia, adding that PKK is "spreading all over Iraq like a cancer cell."

In related developments, gendarmerie in the northwestern city of Tekirdağ detained four people accused of spreading PKK propaganda on social media, with operations carried out at six locations across Çerkezköy, Çorlu and Kapaklı districts.

Security forces are still searching for two fugitive suspects connected to the case.

Another person was arrested in Kırıkkale on similar charges.

The ministry's press and public relations advisor, Zeki Aktürk, reported on Aug. 1 that a total of 67 PKK members were "neutralized" in the past week.

Additionally, Turkish airstrikes on July 26 targeted 25 caves, shelters, depots and facilities used by PKK in the Gara, Qandil, and Assos regions of northern Iraq.

He also said a PKK member who had escaped from northern Iraq surrendered to authorities at the Habur border gate.