ISTANBUL

The downing of a Turkish drone in Syria has in no way affected the ongoing anti-terrorism operation there, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

"Following the terrorist attack that occurred on 1 October 2023, comprehensive operations have been initiated by our Armed Forces and Intelligence Organization against PKK/YPG terrorist targets and infrastructure in Iraq and Syria within the framework of our legitimate rights for self-defense," a ministry statement said.

In Sunday’s foiled attack in the Turkish capital, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the Interior Ministry gate while another terrorist was killed by security forces. Two police officers suffered minor injuries in the attack. The Turkish Interior Ministry has confirmed the attackers’ ties to the terrorist group PKK.

"In this context, numerous targets belonging to the separatist terrorist organization were destroyed yesterday (5 October), primarily in the Tell Rifaat, Jazira, and Derik regions of northern Syria,"the Foreign Ministry said.

"During operations, one UCAV was lost due to different technical assessments in the deconfliction mechanism with third parties," it said.

"Necessary measures are being taken to ensure a more effective operation of the deconfliction mechanism with the relevant parties,"the statement added.

The incident has in no way affected the ongoing execution of the operation and the targeting of identified objectives, it said.

"Just as in Iraq, all capabilities and sources of income developed by the terrorist organization in Syria will continue to be systematically eliminated," the ministry said.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is its Syrian branch.