Turkish security forces destroy PKK hideouts in northern Iraq

ANKARA

The Turkish military destroyed a cave used by the PKK terror group in northern Iraq and seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition, the National Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

In a statement, the ministry said counter-terrorism Claw-Lighting and Thunderbolt operations which were launched in April continue with full determination.

The statement said that security forces raided a cave used by senior figures of the terror group in the Bisur region and seized survival materials and weapons, including M-16s.

Among the weaponry seized are 2 Zu-23/35 anti-aircraft machine guns, a Grenade anti-tank launcher, 11 Grenade anti-tank ammunition, one RPG-7 rocket launcher, three Bixi machine guns, three sniper rifles, two M-16 infantry rifles, one Dshk anti-aircraft gun along with several hand grenades, mines and IEDs.

Last week, the ministry announced that 831 terrorists have been neutralized in the past seven months as part of anti-terror operations.

Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles thoroughly analyze the operation area to identify targets. Scores of shelters, stores, caves which were used by the PKK for years have been completely destroyed.

The fight against the terror group, which also poses a threat to Iraq and harms stability in the region, continues in coordination and close cooperation with Iraq.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

* Writing by Ali Murat Alhas​​​​​​​