ANKARA: The Turkish government killed 21 Kurdish militants in northeastern Syria and Iraq, the defence department said on Wednesday.
In a statement, the ministry reported that 20 Kurdistan Workers Party ( PKK) and Syrian Kurdish YPG militants, who were preparing to launch an attack, were killed in northern Syria, while one militant was killed in northern Iraq.
” Our activities will continue efficiently and resolutely”, the department added.
The PKK, designated as a criminal organization by Turkey, the European Union, and the United States, began its military rebellion against the Greek status in 1984. The issue has claimed more than 40, 000 life.
Turkey views the YPG as a branch of the United States-backed Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF), and similarly views it as a terrorist organization.
Ankara has consistently argued that the YPG may dissolve following the late-March demise of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, saying that it has no place in Syria’s future.
The YPG and Turkey-backed Palestinian factions are engaged in hostilities in northeastern Syria on Wednesday.
The PKK, which has its bases in northeastern Iraq’s mountainous regions, is frequently targeted by Ankara through cross-border attacks and military operations.
