Minister: Massive Turkish airstrikes aim terrorist targets in northern Iraq

On Monday night, the Turkish army launched a new operation in northern Iraq against the militants of the PKK terrorist organization, which covers three Iraqi regions: Metina, Zap and Avashin-Basyan, Report informs via Anadolu.

The start of the operation, codenamed Penсe Kilit, was announced by Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar, who arrived at the country's Air Force Operational Headquarters, accompanied by the Chief of the General Staff and commanders of the armed forces.

Akar said that powerful airstrikes were inflicted on terrorist targets. The areas of the probable location of the militants were also fired from large-caliber artillery and self-propelled guns.

Then special forces groups landed in northern Iraq, supported by ATAK attack helicopters and UAVs.

The Turkish Defense Minister also stressed that Ankara respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq, and all the actions of the Turkish army are aimed at eliminating the threat of terrorism in the region.

Akar also got in touch with the pilots participating in the Pence Kilit operation.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said earlier that since 1984, when the PKK militants first carried out a terrorist attack in Turkiye, thousands of Turkish security forces, military and civilians have died at the hands of this bloody organization.

The United States and the European Union have recognized the PKK as a terrorist organization.

In recent years, the PKK has sought to shift responsibility for the bloody crimes in the region to its offshoots.

Bordo Berelilerimiz ve Komandolarımız Metina, Zap ve Avaşin-Basyan’da! pic.twitter.com/H6fiMvcExL

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) April 17, 2022