Turkey's Military Operation Kills 26 Kurdish Militants, Operations Continue Amid Peace Efforts - Defense Ministry

Turkey's Military Operation Kills 26 Kurdish Militants, Operations Continue Amid Peace Efforts - Defense Ministry

ANKARA, March 6: The Turkish Ministry of Defense reported that Turkish security forces killed 26 Kurdish militants in military operations conducted last week in various regions of northern Iraq and Syria. The ministry stated that the details of the clashes were not disclosed.

In a statement, the Turkish Ministry of Defense said, "Our Turkish Armed Forces will continue its operations and search-and-scan activities in the region for the survival and security of our country."

The statement further added, "The Turkish Armed Forces will continue the fight against terrorism until not a single terrorist remains."

However, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) had declared a ceasefire last Saturday during its 40-year-long insurgency against the Turkish government. This declaration was in response to a call from the group’s leader, Abdullah Öcalan, on February 27, urging the organization to disarm.

Öcalan, who has been imprisoned on an island near Istanbul since 1999, asked his group to convene a congress and make the decision to disband. He has also requested his release so that he can directly lead and execute the congress.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has stated that Öcalan's call for a ceasefire does not apply to his group.

The Turkish government, however, maintains that all Kurdish groups tied to the PKK—whether in Turkey, Syria, or Iraq—should disband.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned last week, "As long as our extended hand remains in the air or is bitten, Turkey will keep its iron fist ready." He added that military operations will continue if necessary.

The conflict between Turkey and the PKK has been ongoing since 1984, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths. This ceasefire is seen as the first sign of a breakthrough since peace talks between the PKK and Turkey broke down in the summer of 2015.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies.