Turkey 'took precautions before' Iraq, Syria airstrikes

By Sarp Ozer

ANKARA

Turkish military has clarified it shared all necessary information with civilian and military representatives before carrying out airstrikes in northern Iraq’s Sinjar Mountain region and northern Syria on April 25.

In a statement released Wednesday, Turkish General Staff said all necessary precautions had been taken and maximum care was ensured to avoid casualties among official personnel and civilians in the airstrikes.

“The same level of determination and resolve will be expressed until the last terrorist gets neutralized,” the statement added.

On April 25, Turkey carried out several airstrikes against the PKK and its Syrian affiliates -- the PYD/YPG -- in Iraq’s northern Sinjar Mountain region and in northern Syria, killing about 90 terrorists.

The airstrikes were intended to prevent the group from sending terrorists, weapons, ammunition and explosives into neighboring Turkey.

Since 2014, the PKK has maintained a presence in the Sinjar district on the pretext it is fighting against the Daesh terrorist group.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization also by the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015.

Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of some 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including a number of women and children.