Turkey launches new military operation into Iraq's Kurdistan Region

Minister Akar at the Airforce Command (Photo: AA)

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Turkey has launched a new cross-border military operation into the Kurdistan Region in Iraq's north, Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar has announced.

Involving special operation forces and armed drones, the "Operation Claw-Lock" particularly targets the areas of Metina, Zap and Avasin-Basyan, the minister said early today (April 18).

In these areas, shelters, ammunition depots, headquarters, gathering locations and tunnel networks are "being destroyed," he said.

Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Twitter that Turkey "remains resolute to continue its struggle against the terror group and its sponsors," both within and beyond its borders.

Since May 2019, Turkey has carried out a series of military operations named the "Claw Operations" against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Iraq's Kurdistan region. (AEK/VK)