UPDATE – Turkish military conducts airstrikes in northern Iraq

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS, STATEMENT BY TURKISH OFFICIAL, EDITS THROUGHOUT</p> <p>By Fatih Hafiz Mehmet </p> <p>ANKARA (AA) – The Turkish Armed Forces on Thursday conducted airstrikes against “hotbeds of terrorism” in northern Iraq’s Sinjar and Mount Karacak regions, which terrorists have been using as their bases, a statement said.</p> <p>According to the statement by the Turkish Defense Ministry, the air operation was conducted to “neutralize” PKK/KCK/PYD/YPG and other terrorist elements.</p> <p>&quot;The operation targeted housing facilities, shelters, caves, tunnels, and storage units used by terrorists that threaten our country, nation, and border security,&quot; it said.

<p>In the planning and implementation stages of the operation, the statement said, Turkey exercised due caution to prevent civilian casualties and damage to civilian property, and to protect the environment.</p> <p>Fahrettin Altun, Communications Director of Turkish Presidency, said in a Twitter post that a successful air operation targeted Sinjar and Mount Karacak, which are among the &quot;important&quot; centers of terror elements.</p> <p>&quot;This operation dealt a blow to terror and it was a message to terror supporters,&quot; he added.</p> <p>In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU — has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.

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