Turkish airstrikes destroy dozens of PKK bunkers, arms depots in northern Iraq

Turkish airstrikes destroy dozens of PKK bunkers, arms depots in northern Iraq
The Turkish defence ministry said that 28 targets were hit in northern Iraq’s Asos region, including PKK bunkers, ammunition depots, and caves.
1 min read
24 August, 2021
Turkey has maintained a network of bases in northern Iraq since the mid-1990s [Getty/ Archive]

Turkish airstrikes have struck dozens of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) targets in northern Iraq, Turkey's National Defence Ministry announced on Tuesday.

Ankara, which considers the Kurdish separatist group as a terrorist organisation, said Turkish counter-terrorism operations against the PKK are ongoing, Turkey’s Anadolu Agency reported.

The ministry said 28 targets were hit in northern Iraq's Asos region, including bunkers, ammunition depots and caves.

"The Turkish Armed Forces will continue its fight against terrorism for the security of our country and nation until the last terrorist is neutralised," a ministry statement quoted by Anadolu said.

MENA
Live Story

Turkey launched a fresh offensive against the PKK in Iraq in April, striking the group's bases with airstrikes and at times through ground offensives.

Ankara has maintained a network of bases in northern Iraq since the mid-1990s on the basis of security agreements struck with Saddam Hussein's regime.

The PKK, which is also proscribed by the US and EU, has waged a rebellion in the mainly Kurdish southeast of Turkey since 1984 that has claimed more than 40,000 lives.