Turkish Airstrikes in Northern Iraq Kill 19 PKK Fighters

Sputnik News

11:21 10.12.2016(updated 11:32 10.12.2016)

The Turkish Air Force killed 19 fighters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party in northern Iraq.

ANKARA (Sputnik) – A total of 19 Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) fighters were eliminated by the Turkish Air Force in the Gara area of northern Iraq, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement on Saturday.

"In the course of an air operation on December 9, [the Turkish Air Force] hit targets of the PKK separatist terrorist organization in the Gara area in northern Iraq, eliminating 19 terrorists, as well as five of their shelters. After successful completion of the task, the aircraft returned to their bases," the statement seen by RIA Novosti said.

Tensions between Ankara and Turkish Kurds escalated in July 2015 when a ceasefire between Turkey and the PKK collapsed over a series of terrorist attacks, allegedly committed by PKK members. Turkey considers PKK to be a terrorist organization.

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