Turkish commandos destroy 500+ terrorist targets in N. Iraq

ANKARA

As part of Operation Claw-Tiger, the Turkish Armed Forces have destroyed more than 500 PKK targets in northern Iraq's Haftanin region.

According to the security sources on Thursday, in the first 36 hours of the operation, Turkish forces hit over 500 targets of the PKK terror group in the region with F-16 jets, howitzers and multiple rockets.

Following the strikes, Turkish commandos also conducted an infiltration operation through land and air to target terrorist hideouts.

Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar addressed the commanders of the troops via video link, saying: “Operation Claw-Tiger is going very well.”

“We will continue with the same seriousness and determination and hopefully we will successfully end this operation,” Akar said.

On Monday, the ministry announced the start of Operation Claw-Eagle in northern Iraq, noting that Turkish fighter jets had destroyed caves where terrorists were taking shelter.

The operation was carried out against terrorist bases in Sinjar, Qandil, Karacak, Zap, Avasin-Basyan and Hakurk.

Operation Claw-Tiger began on Wednesday.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.