The “Claw-Lock” operation in northern Iraq is continuing successfully as planned, the Turkish Ministry of Defense announced regarding the new invasion of Iraqi territory in the context of the “fight against terrorists”. “Since the start of the operation, 26 PKK terrorists have been neutralized,” the ministry said in a statement on April 19.
Ammunition belonging to the terrorist organization was also confiscated during the invasion, the statement added.
The Turkish military launched a major offensive against PKK hideouts and targets in the Metina, Zap and Avashin-Basyan areas of northern Iraq in the early hours of April 18, where the PKK has training camps and other hideouts, according to Ankara.
According to the Turkish Hürriyet, Erdogan’s new invasion “aims to neutralize the terrorists and destroy their structures before they can continue their terrorist activities after the harsh winter conditions”.
In a related note, the ministry said on April 19 that 10 “terrorists who attempted to infiltrate and launch Operation Olive Branch and Operation Peace Source zones in northern Syria were neutralized,” referring to areas occupied by Turkey and the adjacent groups of fighters, jihadists and other elements.
“The fight against the PKK / YPG continues in Syria,” the ministry added.
Iraq should leave immediately, says Iraq
The Iraqi Foreign Ministry summoned the ambassador to Baghdad, Ali Riza Gunay, on Tuesday to strongly condemn the Turkish invasion of northern Iraq and the recent military operation in northern Kurdistan: “We have taken Turkish “Turkish forces must withdraw completely from Iraqi territory in a manner that demonstrates a binding respect for national sovereignty,” the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement, according to local Iraqi media.
“Baghdad has a legal right to take the necessary and appropriate measures against hostile and unilateral actions, such as the Turkish operation, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. The operation was carried out without coordination with the Iraqi government,” the statement added.
The statement stressed that Article 51 of the UN Charter, invoked by Turkey, does not allow the sovereignty of an independent state to be violated, adding that “the presence of most elements of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in northern Iraq is based on an agreement between the Turkish government and the PKK “.
He added that Iraq opposes the spread of an internal Turkish problem on its territory.
Baghdad concluded that violating Iraqi sovereignty was not a good step towards finding a common and lasting solution to security problems; .
Petros Kranias
Source: Capital

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