New Turkish military operation in northern Iraq

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Saturday that the Turkish army had launched new operations against PKK elements in northern Iraq on Friday under the name Pence-Simsek (Thunder Claw) and Pence-Yildirim (Lightning Claw).

Turkish Defense Minister Khulusi Akar also commented on the operation: “The operation of the Turkish Armed Forces against PKK elements in the area of Matina, Avashin, Basyan started at 5 pm on Friday and continues. During the operation, about 400 PKK positions, including hideouts and caves were targeted by ground force and more than 60 targets were targeted by the Air Force.

A security source in the Kurdistan region confirmed Turkish attacks on areas in northern Iraq and Heliborne of Turkish troops in the northern mountains. He said Turkish warplanes had bombed villages overlooking Mount Kista in Dohuk province and launched a Heliborne operation in the area to pursue PKK elements. Mount Kista, at 3,500 meters above sea level is one of the strategic mountains in northern Iraq, and Turkey has been trying to capture it for some time.

The Turkish army currently has 36 military points in Duhok province, of which 9 are located in the Emadiyeh area, 24 are located in the Zakho and Haftanin areas, and three others are located in the Kista area in Kani Masi. The Turkish army also has six military bases in Imadiyah, Zakho and Ba’ashiqah areas in Iraq.