ANKARA

Two Turkish soldiers were martyred in northern Iraq in clashes with PKK terrorists as part of Operation Claw, Turkey’s Defense Ministry said Thursday. 

"Drowned in sadness, we wish Allah's mercy upon our martyrs, and express our condolences to their families, the Turkish Armed Forces, and our noble nation," the ministry said, adding that the cross-border operation supported by the Turkish Air Forces is under way.

In May 2019, Turkey launched the first Operation Claw against PKK terrorist organization in the Hakurk region of northern Iraq.

PKK terrorists often use northern Iraq as a base to plan cross-border terrorist attacks against Turkey.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.