Turkish fighter jets strike PKK in northern Iraq

ANKARA

Turkish airstrikes destroyed the PKK terror positions in northern Iraq, the nation’s Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

The counter-terrorism operations were carried out in the Gara and Qandil regions to waste the weapon pits and shelters of the terror group.

The operation was held in coordination with the Operation Claw, Turkey’s ongoing operation against the PKK in the Hakurk region of northern Iraq, according to the ministry.

PKK terrorists often use northern Iraq as a base to plan cross-border terrorist attacks on Turkey.

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, children and infants.

*Writing by Dilara Hamit