Turkey hits PKK targets in northern Iraq

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Turkey hit seven outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) targets in the Metina region of northern Iraq early on June 2 as part of ongoing anti-terror operations, while one soldier wounded in a PKK bomb attack in the Nusaybin district of the southeastern province of Mardin succumbed to his injuries on the same day.

Seven targets, including weapon-launching positions and shelters, were destroyed in the airstrikes launched between 3:15 a.m. and 4:20 a.m., the Turkish General Staff announced.

Meanwhile, one soldier succumbed to his injuries after a PKK bomb attack initially injured two police officers and 10 soldiers in Nusaybin, where a curfew has been in force since March 14.

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım again vowed on June 2 that military operations against the PKK would continue until the outlawed group completely lays down its arms. 

“These operations will continue with determination until these terrorist groups bury their arms, pour cement over them and, as our president puts it, leave this country,” Yıldırım said.

Turkey’s national anthem was played on June 2 from loudspeakers in Nusaybin, where operations against the PKK are ongoing. 

The national anthem, which was played early on June 2 by security forces, was reportedly heard from all over the under-curfew Nusaybin.
 
On June 1, a temporary village guard was killed in a suspected attack by the PKK in the southeastern province of Bitlis.

Unidentified assailants staged an armed attack against guard Tuncay Aktaş in the Zeydan neighborhood of the Arıdağ village.

Aktaş was hit by four bullets and died immediately at the scene.

Meanwhile, Bitlis Village Guard Association head Behçet Kandemir said Aktaş had “no known enemies” but his name was mentioned on a PKK list.

Aktaş was laid to rest on June 2 following a funeral ceremony at the Bitlis gendarmerie command post.