According to Yasar Buyukanit, Turkey’s top general, the United States had approved the air strikes by opening up airspace in northern Iraq for the operation. PKK areas near the border were targeted by Turkish fighter jets. According to the Turkish media, about 50 planes were used to carry out the operation.
According to Iraqi officials, 10 villages were hit with one woman being killed. The PKK had reported seven deaths on their side. As a result, Turkey’s ambassador to Baghdad has been summoned. The Iraqi government has demanded that the air strikes into northern Iraq be topped.
However, General Buyukanit said that they were given intelligence by the United States.
“But what is more important is that the United States last night opened northern Iraqi airspace to us. By doing that, the United States approved the operation,” General Buyukanit states.
“The Turkish armed forces have given the message to the Turkish public and the world that whether it is winter or summer, we will find and hit them even if they live in caves,” he has also added.
The following areas were hit: Zap, Hakurk, Avasin, and the Kandil mountains. The operation had lasted three ours.
According to local officials in the area, many families had fled their homes.
The Turkish parliament had voted to let the military go into Iraq to fight the PKK in October. The PKK had increased their attacks on Turkish soil.
Right now, up to 100,000 troops are stationed near the border. Both Iraq and the United States urged the country not to carry out its thread.
Still, it is believed that there are 3,000 PKK members to be hiding in northern Iraq.
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