Turkey neutralizes two PKK terrorists, including one senior operative in N.Iraq

Two PKK terrorists, including one senior operative, were neutralized in northern Iraq by Turkish security forces, said Turkey's National Defense Ministry.

Terrorists were targeted in the Gara region within the vicinity of Operation Pence-Kaplan (Claw-Lighting) by a joint operation of the Turkish Armed Forces and National Intelligence Organization, the ministry noted.

The so-called external affairs director of the terror group, Mehmet Emin Ekinci, is among the neutralized terrorists.

Turkish authorities use the word "neutralize" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

PKK terrorists often hide out in northern Iraq, across Turkey’s southern border, to plan terrorist attacks in Turkey.

The Pence (Claw) operations are a series of offensives Turkey has carried out since 2019 against terrorist organizations in northern Iraq, particularly the PKK.

Meanwhile, security forces arrested three PKK terror suspects, two in the eastern Adiyaman province and one in northwestern Edirne province while the suspect was trying to flee to Greece.

Also, a KCK/PKK terrorist surrendered to security forces through persuasion efforts, the Interior Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

The terrorist joined the terror group in 2008, and has recently been active in Iraq, the statement added.

The number of terrorists who have laid down their arms through persuasion efforts this year now stands at 144.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

* Writing by Burak Bir and Ahmet Gencturk in Ankara.