Türkiye conducts air operation against PKK/YPG terror targets in northern Syria, northern Iraq

ANKARA

Türkiye conducted an air operation against the PKK/YPG terror group in northern Syria and northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry said Sunday.

The Pence-Kilic (Claw-Sword) Air Operation was conducted in northern Iraq and Syria which are used as bases for attacks against Türkiye by terrorists, the ministry said in a statement.

It said the operation was carried out in line with the right of self-defense arising from Article 51 of the UN Charter.

“Terror nests are being destroyed with direct hits,” it said in an earlier tweet as it shared the first images of the operation.

It announced the operation on Twitter with a photograph of a Turkish warplane taking off and said: “Time for reckoning! The scoundrels are being held accountable for the treacherous attacks!”

The operation follows last Sunday’s terror attack on Istanbul’s crowded Istiklal Avenue that killed at least six and left 81 injured.

The Turkish government said the attack was carried out by the PKK/YPG terror organization.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US and the European Union — has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the terror group’s Syrian offshoot.

• Iraq
• Syria
• Turkiye