Turkey Responds With Airstrikes In Iraq And Syria After Kurdish Militants Kill Nine Soldiers

Turkey conducted airstrikes targeting Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria, responding to an attack on a Turkish military base in Iraq that resulted in the death of nine soldiers. Three weeks prior, PKK-affiliated militants attempted to infiltrate a Turkish base in northern Iraq, causing the deaths of six soldiers. The recent airstrikes, as announced by the Turkish Defense Ministry, targeted areas in north Iraq such as Metina, Hakurk, Gara, and Qandil, with specific locations in Syria left unspecified.

The Defense Ministry stated that the airstrikes aimed to eliminate potential terrorist attacks against Turkish citizens and security forces, emphasizing the destruction of caves, bunkers, shelters, and oil facilities. The statement noted that "many" militants were "neutralized" during the strikes.

In response to the attack on the military base, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the detention of 113 individuals suspected of ties to the PKK in raids across 32 Turkish provinces. Furthermore, police arrested four individuals associated with 60 social media accounts that allegedly praised the separatist organization or disseminated misleading information.

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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was set to hold a security meeting in Istanbul following the incidents. The Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, expressed condolences for the soldiers' deaths and affirmed the commitment to fight against the PKK within and outside Turkey's borders. The PKK, recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey's Western allies, including the United States, has maintained bases in northern Iraq, contributing to a protracted conflict since 1984. Turkey's recent military operations underscore ongoing tensions and conflicts in the region.