Turkish Intelligence Achieves Success in Targeting Senior PKK Figure in Iraq
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Ankara, Dec 25 (NationPress) Turkey's National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) neutralised a high-ranking official of the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Iraq, reportedly just prior to a planned assault on Turkish military personnel in the area.
Firat Serihan, who was on Turkey's wanted list, was neutralised in a targeted strike in the Gara region of Iraq, although the specific timing of the operation remains unspecified, as reported by Xinhua news agency citing the semi-official Anadolu Agency and anonymous Turkish security insiders.
Turkish officials frequently employ the term neutralise in their communications to indicate that alleged terrorists have either surrendered, been killed, or captured.
As per reports from Turkish public broadcaster TRT, Serihan and other militants who were preparing to launch an attack against Turkish security forces in Gara were neutralised during the operation.
Serihan is said to have personally orchestrated and led assaults against Turkish security forces in northern Syria back in 2016.
Additionally, he is accused of providing arms and ammunition to operatives intent on executing attacks within the Turkish military's Pence-Kilit Operation Zone in northern Iraq.
The PKK, classified as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has been in rebellion against the Turkish government for over thirty years.
Turkey routinely carries out military operations in northern Iraq, where the PKK maintains its headquarters and safe havens.
On November 27, Turkey's MIT also neutralised another senior PKK member during an operation in Iraq.
Sadiye Muhammed Ahmed, known by the codename Hevi, was reportedly neutralised in a precise strike in the Sinjar region of northern Iraq. She has allegedly been involved in the PKK's operations in Syria and Iraq since 2001, according to the reports.
In a separate military operation targeting the PKK in northern Iraq, the Turkish Defense Ministry reported the elimination of eight more PKK members in the Gara and Metina regions.
