Türkiye National Defence Ministry has reported that its Defense forces in 2024 have neutralised 3,038 terrorists pushing a “major blow” to the terrorist bodies PKK, its Syrian units the YPG/PYD, as well as IS, especially in Syria and northern Iraq.
According to Turkish media outlet TRT World, as part of these counterterrorism measures, “3,038 terrorists were neutralised, 1,330 shelters/covers were eliminated, and 2,450 weapons and more than 910,000 parts of ammunition were captured,” the ministry stated. It stated that 107 terrorists were relinquished during the operations.
The Turkish Armed Forces are persisting its executions with “unconventional, surprising, swift and continuous” implementation directions, following a procedure to eradicate terrorism at its source, it stated. Türkiye’s actions to completely terminate terrorism continue with excellent resolution, the ministry emphasised.
The Turkish government has been conducting operations against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the recent past. The conflict is an old one, which started when the insurgency of the PKK began in 1984. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) was formed to raise the issues of Turkey’s Kurdish minority, but due to its brutal methods of fighting, including bombing civilians and military installations, Turkey and many other countries have termed it a terrorist organization.
The conflict has caused many casualties, with over 40,000 deaths, most of whom are Kurdish civilians. The conflict has been characterized by waves of extreme violence, such as urban terrorism in the 1990s and a notable ceasefire from 2013 to 2015. The breakdown of this ceasefire led to renewed hostilities, with significant military actions occurring both within Turkey and across its borders in Iraq and Syria.
After a deadly attack on the TUSAS aerospace and defence company in October 2024, which the PKK claimed, Turkey responded with a series of airstrikes targeting PKK positions in northern Iraq and Syria. This attack has highlighted the tension and the operational capabilities of the PKK. The Turkish military has set up many bases on its border with Iraq and engaged in cross-border operations to interdict PKK activity, especially from their stronghold in the Qandil Mountains of northern Iraq.
Turkey claims a legitimate right to fight terrorism and has passed legislation to prosecute persons associated with the PKK. Changes to the counter-terrorism law in 2023 included punishment of those who commit acts on behalf of terrorist organisations, though they are not official members. The Turkish government has also sought international cooperation to combat the PKK, taking advantage of geopolitical dynamics such as NATO discussions involving Sweden and Finland, which agreed to enhance anti-terrorism measures against Kurdish groups as part of their accession process.
The PKK is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. It is so considered because of the history of violence and military conflicts with Turkish state forces. It has gained considerable support from the Kurdish community in Turkey and worldwide through a network of sympathizers for recruitment and logistical support, including funding from diverse sources, especially drug trafficking.
