STORY: Türkiye neutralizes 605 "terrorists" in Operation Claw-Lock in N. Iraq
DATELINE: Sept. 25, 2023
LENGTH: 0:01:09
LOCATION: Ankara
CATEGORY: MILITARY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the anti-terror operations of Turkish security forces against PKK in N. Iraq (courtesy of Turkish defense ministry)
2. various of Turkish defense ministry
3. various of the members of PKK
4. various of anti-terror operations of Turkish security forces against PKK (FILE)
5. various of the members of PKK
6. various of anti-terror operations of Turkish security forces against PKK (FILE)

STORYLINE:

Turkish security forces have "neutralized" 605 "terrorists" so far in Operation Claw-Lock, the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported on Sunday.

In Operation Claw-Lock, 605 "terrorists" were "neutralized," and 670 caves and shelters of the "terrorists" were destroyed, the report quoted sources from the Turkish Defence Ministry as saying.

Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralized" in their statements to imply the "terrorists" in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

The report added that Turkish security forces also seized a total of 1,343 weapons and 706,650 ammunition as a part of the operation.

The Turkish government launched Operation Claw-Lock in April 2022 to fight against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the northern Iraq region near the Turkish border.

Türkiye recognizes PKK as a terror group that should be responsible for a series of attacks, saying PKK has launched a 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Ankara.
(XHTV)