ANKARA: The Turkish Defense Ministry announced that over 3,000 militants affiliated with the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) have been killed in military operations conducted by the Turkish army in northern Iraq and Syria during 2024.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Turkish Defense Ministry Spokesman Zeki Akturk stated in a press release that operations in these regions primarily involved airstrikes by Turkish fighter jets. These operations resulted in the deaths of 1,491 PKK militants in northern Iraq and 1,579 in northern Syria. Over the past week alone, 49 militants were killed in a series of airstrikes, and some reportedly surrendered to Turkish forces over the past year.

Akturk emphasized that the military actions undertaken by Turkey outside its borders are intended to secure its national security and are not meant to infringe on the sovereignty of Iraq or Syria. He reiterated Turkey’s commitment to maintaining stability in Syria and facilitating the safe return of displaced Syrians to their homeland.

The spokesperson further commented on regional security, stating that Israel poses a significant threat to peace in the Middle East. He urged the international community to address the alleged genocide in Gaza, annexation attempts in the West Bank, and attacks on Syria and Yemen by Israel. Akturk called for global efforts to support Palestinian rights and establish lasting peace in the region.