Turkish Defense Minister: 77 terrorists were neutralized

Speaking at a meeting held today with the participation of commanders and making statements about the latest situation in the Claw-Lock Operation region, Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler said, "With the air operations carried out in the north of Iraq and Syria, 78 targets consisting of caves, shelters and oil facilities were destroyed and 77 terrorists were killed." "It has been neutralized," he said. Güler also pointed out that 9 Turkish soldiers lost their lives in the Claw-Lock Operation region on January 12, and emphasized that their fight against terrorist organizations, especially the PKK, will continue with determination.

Hürriyet newspaper revealed that Washington recently provided information, weapons and ammunition to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and that the purpose of this action was to drag Turkey into a war of attrition. The newspaper stated that the information showed that not only the USA but also other centers provided information, ammunition and weapons to the PKK. Hürriyet newspaper added: "The increase in the number of terrorist attacks is also related to internal and external events." According to the newspaper, some countries do not want Turkey to be an active actor in the region, so they target it through terrorist organizations. Recently, 6 Turkish soldiers lost their lives and 7 soldiers were injured in attacks by PKK elements in northern Iraq./