UPDATES WITH NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTRY TWEET; MINOR EDITS THROUGHOUT
By Fahri Aksut, Havva Kara Aydin and Sena Guler
ANKARA (AA) – The Turkish Armed Forces on Wednesday destroyed PKK targets in Haftanin region as part of Operation Claw-Tiger in northern Iraq.
According to the security sources, Turkish forces hit over 150 targets of the PKK terror group in the region with howitzers and multiple rocket launchers.
Following airstrikes, Turkish commandos also conducted an intruder mission in designated areas via land and air.
"You have always shown the power of the Turkish commando, we believe that you will show it once again in those mountains today, and make history as you did before," Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told the commanders of the troops.
Later in the day, the National Defense Ministry shared a video on its Twitter account showing the moments when the terror targets were destroyed.
"As part of the Operation Claw-Tiger that started last night, Air Forces Command destroyed the terror targets in Haftanin region with precision strikes," it added.
On Monday, the ministry announced the start of Operation Claw-Eagle in northern Iraq, noting that Turkish fighter jets had destroyed caves where terrorists were taking shelter, making the caves to collapse on them.
The operation was carried out against terrorist bases in Sinjar, Qandil, Karajak, Zap, Avasin-Basyan and Hakurk.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and EU — has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.
