Turkish jets hit terrorist PKK positions in N.Iraq

By Ilkay Guder

ANKARA

Turkish jets destroyed terrorist PKK camps, weapons positions, arms dumps, and shelters in northern Iraq on Friday, the military said in a statement.

Airstrikes hit 36 targets in northern Iraq's Zap, Avasin-Basyan, Mt. Qandil, Sinat-Haftanin, Gara, Hakurk, and Metina regions, the Turkish General Staff said Saturday.

Airstrikes on PKK targets in southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq, where the terror group has its main base in the Mt. Qandil region near the Iranian border, have been carried out regularly since July 2015, when the PKK resumed its armed campaign.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the EU and U.S. -- has killed more than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians since resuming its attacks.

Separately, Turkey launched armed drones around Bestler-Dereler region in Turkey's southeastern Sirnak province on Saturday, killing four PKK terrorists and destroying their shelter.

According to the Sirnak Governor's Office, operations against the terrorist organization are ongoing.

Reporting by Ilkay Guder; Writing by Kubra Chohan