Turkish soldier killed in northern Iraq anti-terror operation
- Türkiye
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 09:12 | 23 April 2022
- Modified Date: 09:21 | 23 April 2022
A Turkish soldier was killed during an anti-terror operation in northern Iraq, Turkey's National Defense Ministry said Saturday.
Kubilay Çon, an infantry specialist sergeant, was killed in clashes with terrorists during Turkey's recently launched cross-border Operation Claw-Lock, the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry extended condolences to Çon's family and wished them strength and patience to bear the loss.
Turkey launched Operation Claw-Lock earlier this week to target PKK hideouts in Iraq's Metina, Zap and Avasin-Basyan areas.
That was preceded by Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle, which were launched in 2020 to root out terrorists who hide in northern Iraq and plot cross-border attacks in Turkey.
In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.