Turkey attacks Iraq and Syria after 12 soldiers killed

The Turkish defense ministry clarified that during the operations in these two countries, air strikes were carried out on bases, shelters, and oil facilities that could be used by representatives of the PKK.

The operations were conducted in northern Iraq and Syria on Saturday evening.

Background

Yesterday, on December 22, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense reported an attack on their military in northern Iraq, which resulted in the deaths of three and injuries to four soldiers.

The Turkish Ministry of Defense said that the attack on the military was carried out by representatives of a "separatist terrorist organization in northern Iraq."

Later, on December 23, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised a response to the attack and noted that more than ten terrorists had already been neutralized.

Turkish Operations in Iraq and Syria

Last winter, Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar said that the army had neutralized 364 militants as part of Operation Pençe Kılıç ("Claw Sword") in northern Iraq and Syria against members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and destroyed hideouts, weapons depots, and headquarters.

This operation "Claw Sword" followed the explosion on November 13, 2022, on the crowded Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul, which killed 6 people and injured 81.

At the time, Ankara blamed the attack on Kurdish militias. At the same time, no group has claimed responsibility for the explosion in Istanbul last Sunday, and the PKK and the KCK (Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces) deny any involvement.

Turkey regularly conducts airstrikes in neighboring Iraq as part of its offensive against PKK militants based there.