ANKARA: Six Turkish soldiers were killed, and one was wounded during an attack on their base in northern Iraq by members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the Turkish defense ministry confirmed on Saturday.
The assault took place near Hakurk during a military operation conducted by Turkish troops in the region. Turkey has maintained a presence with several dozen military posts in northern Iraq for the past 25 years as part of its longstanding conflict against the PKK. The group, designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey and many Western allies, has been a focal point of Ankara’s military efforts.
Erdogan Vows to Eradicate PKK
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in October, reiterated the country’s commitment to intensifying strikes on what he termed “terrorist” targets in both Iraq and Syria. The PKK has been responsible for several attacks against Turkish security forces.
The latest attack comes on the heels of a suicide attack on October 1, for which the PKK claimed responsibility. The attack targeted the capital, Ankara, injuring two police officers.
