Turkey Neutralizes 35 PKK Militants in Iraq, Syria

Turkey's National Defense Ministry reported the neutralization of 14 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, reaffirming its commitment to combating terrorism at its roots. Additionally, a senior PKK member, Fırat Serihan, was eliminated in a targeted operation in the Gara region, where he was planning attacks against Turkish forces. The Turkish military also reported the elimination of 21 PKK/YPG militants across operations in Syria and Iraq, emphasizing ongoing counterterrorism efforts. Turkey considers the PKK and its Syrian affiliate, the YPG, terrorist organizations responsible for over 40,000 deaths in their decades-long insurgency. These operations highlight Turkey's strategy of conducting cross-border strikes to dismantle PKK bases and prevent attacks on its territory. As tensions rise, Turkey continues to assert that the YPG must disband, especially following the recent shifts in Syria's political landscape.