Turkey Conducts Air Raids Against PKK Terrorists In Syria, Iraq

Turkey conducted an air operation against the PKK and its offshoot YPG in northern Syria and northern Iraq, the Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

The Claw-Sword Air Operation was conducted in northern Iraq and Syria, which are used as bases for attacks against Turkey by terrorists, the ministry said in a statement.

It said the operation was carried out in line with the right of self-defense arising from Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

It announced the operation and said; "Time for reckoning! The scoundrels are being held accountable for the treacherous attacks!"

Turkey successfully destroyed terrorists' hideouts during the new air operation in northern regions of Iraq and Syria, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar also said on Sunday.

Akar said; "Terrorists' shelters, bunkers, caves, tunnels and warehouses were successfully destroyed.

"We followed them closely. The so-called headquarters of the terrorist organization were also hit and destroyed

"Only terrorists and hideouts belonging to them were targeted.

"The claw of our Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) was once again on top of the terrorists.”

Turkey will continue to call to account those who target the country's security, he vowed.

The operation follows last Sunday's terrorist attack on Istanbul's crowded İstiklal Street that killed at least six and left 81 injured.

The Turkish government said the attack was carried out by the PKK/YPG terrorist organization.