Turkish Warplanes Conduct Raids in Northern Iraq, Destroy 18 Kurdish Targets

17:19 GMT, 11 March 2018

In conjunction with allied Syrian militants, the Turkish military launched operation Olive Branch in January 2018 to oust Kurdish-led forces, which allegedly have ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), from parts of northern Syria near the border with Turkey.

Sputnik

Turkish warplanes conducted a series of raids across northern Iraq over the weekend, successfully destroying 18 PKK targets, according to reports by Turkish media.

Areas targeted include the Zap, Metina, Gara and Hakurk regions of Iraq, according to information released by the Turkish military. Details regarding the number of casualties inflicted or the specific targets of the airstrikes are yet to be released.

Turkey to Clear Northern Syria Up to Border With Iraq From Terrorists - Erdogan

9 March 2018, 13:43 GMT

PKK forces have been battling Turkey for decades, with fighting largely concentrating in southeastern parts of the country.

The group – which is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU – maintains a military presence in northern Iraq near the Turkey-Iraq and Iran-Iraq borders.

Turkey has regularly carried out similar attacks against the PKK in northern Iraq, and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu recently said that they would be conducting joint military operations with Iraqi forces, though he didn’t specify when this campaign will begin, or if it will include a ground offensive.