All PKK-affiliated groups in Iraq, Syria ‘legitimate targets, says Turkish foreign minister
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says all groups and facilities in Iraq and Syria that are affiliated to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militant group are “legitimate targets,” following a recent bomb attack on a government building in the capital Ankara.
“I recommend that third parties stay away from these facilities,” Fidan warned during a joint press conference with his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, in Ankara on Wednesday.
“Turkey's stance in the fight against terrorism is clear... The response of our armed forces to this attack will be very clear, and this terrorist organization will regret it very much,” Fidan stated.
The top Turkish diplomat also confirmed that the attackers came from Syria.
“All infrastructure, sites and energy facilities belonging to the PKK/YPG in Iraq and Syria are the legitimate targets of our security forces, armed forces and intelligence elements from now on,” Fidan pointed out.
The remarks came hours after Turkish warplanes carried out fresh airstrikes against PKK bases in northern Iraq.
A statement from the Defense Ministry said the air raids hit 16 targets, including caves, shelters and depots, used by Kurdish militants in the neighboring region.
It added that the operation aimed to “protect Turkey's borders and prevent terror attacks.”
It was reportedly Turkey's second cross-border aerial operation against PKK targets in northern Iraq since the attack in Ankara on October 1.
Earlier, police forces conducted raids in several Turkish provinces, detaining close to 1,000 people, including dozens with alleged links to PKK militants.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that 55 people suspected of being part of the PKK's “intelligence structure” were detained in 16 of the country's 81 provinces.
At least 12 other suspected PKK members were rounded up in a separate operation in five provinces, Yerlikaya wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
A bomber detonated an explosive device near an entrance of the interior ministry building in Ankara, injuring two police officers. A second assailant was killed in a shootout with police.
A news agency close to the PKK said the group claimed responsibility for the attack.
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