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Türkiye Strikes 71 Targets, Neutralizes 59 Kurdish Fighters in Syria and Northern Iraq

A photo published by the Turkish Ministry of Defense transporting the bodies of six of its soldiers who were killed in northern Iraq.
A photo published by the Turkish Ministry of Defense transporting the bodies of six of its soldiers who were killed in northern Iraq.
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Türkiye Strikes 71 Targets, Neutralizes 59 Kurdish Fighters in Syria and Northern Iraq

A photo published by the Turkish Ministry of Defense transporting the bodies of six of its soldiers who were killed in northern Iraq.
A photo published by the Turkish Ministry of Defense transporting the bodies of six of its soldiers who were killed in northern Iraq.

Türkiye has hit 71 sites linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Syrian Kurdish (YPG) in Syria and northern Iraq during airstrikes launched this week in retaliation for the deaths of 12 Turkish soldiers in Iraq.

At least 59 Kurdish militants were killed in the strikes as well as in land clashes, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler said in a video message to top military officials which was posted on X, formerly Twitter.

"As we have consistently emphasized, our fight against terrorism will continue until the last terrorist is neutralized," he noted.

Turkish intelligence reported Tuesday that Ankara has destroyed nearly 50 facilities belonging to the PKK in Qamishli, Kobane, and Amuda. Security sources said that the intelligence targets the infrastructure of PKK and SDF.

The intelligence operations have contributed to eliminating the threats near the borders and disrupting the operations goals as well as the PKK and SDF capabilities to carry out attacks against Türkiye.

During the past two days, the Turkish army has conducted drone raids against more than 20 vital military locations in Qamishli and Amuda.

Moreover, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense announced the eradication of four YPG members in an operation conducted by the elite forces in the areas of Operation Peace Spring and Operation Olive Branch in northeastern Syria.

They had attempted to destabilize the security in both areas.

As part of the retaliation for the killing of 12 Turkish soldiers, Turkish intelligence revealed Wednesday the killing of Zeynep Evri from the Workers’ Party - nicknamed Arin Ari - in an operation in Sulaymaniyah in northern Iraq.

Security sources told Anadolu Agency that Evri was responsible for “terrorist women activities” on the Iranian-Iraqi borders.

Evri was preparing to launch attacks on Turkish military bases in northern Iraq, according to the sources.

This is the third operation for the Turkish intelligence in Sulaymaniyah in three days.

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Arab World

Aoun Leading Efforts to Avert Shiite Boycott of New Lebanese Govt

A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)
A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)
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Aoun Leading Efforts to Avert Shiite Boycott of New Lebanese Govt

A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)
A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)

Lebanon’s Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam arrived in Beirut on Tuesday to kick off parliamentary consultations to form a new government.

He assured that it will “not exclude anyone”, but seek “unity and partnership.”

Asharq Al-Awsat learned that President Joseph Aoun is leading efforts to avert a Shiite boycott of the new government after the “Shiite duo” of the Hezbollah and Amal movement, which is led by parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, refrained from naming Salam for the position of PM during Monday’s consultations.

Their abstention has raised fears that the new government will not be constitutional without the representation of the largest Shiite parties in the country.

Reports have said that the duo may boycott the parliamentary consultations to form a government that Salam will hold on Wednesday.

Sources said the duo may skip the first day of talks, which will conclude on Thursday, to demonstrate its “annoyance” with the developments.

Berri, however, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the “situation is not that negative”. He did not elaborate on the duo’s next steps.

Moreover, Asharq Al-Awsat learned that French President Macron had even intervened to avoid a dispute over the government, holding telephone talks with Aoun and Berri.

Salam’s appointment as prime minister came as a major shock given the large number of votes he won from the parliamentary blocs, compared to his predecessor Najib Mikati and against the will of the Shiite duo. In past years, Hezbollah has repeatedly blocked Salam from becoming prime minister.

Aoun stressed the need to “avoid placing obstacles in the government formation process.”

Aoun held a meeting with Salam at the presidential palace on Tuesday before later being joined by Berri, who left the palace without making a statement.

After the talks, Salam spoke before reporters to express his gratitude to parliament and the people for entrusting him with the “difficult task of serving Lebanon” and “achieving the people’s dreams.”

“It is time to open a new chapter that is rooted in justice, security, progress and opportunity, so that Lebanon can be a nation of free people who are equal under their rights,” he added.

On the possible boycott of the Shiite duo, he said he was against exclusion and on the contrary supported unity. “This is my sincere call, and my hands are extended to everyone,” he added.

The formation of a government in Lebanon often takes months due to political wrangling.

Aoun said on Tuesday that Lebanon has a “very major opportunity that we should all seize.”

He received a delegation from the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council.

“Obstacles must not be placed in the formation process,” he urged. “We must send positive signals to the international community that Lebanon can govern itself, carry out reconstruction transparently and build the state that we are all calling for.”

“If one segment of Lebanon is broken, then the whole country will break,” he stressed, saying Monday’s consultations to appoint Salam were a democratic process and that the public interest remains the top priority.

Aoun, who was elected last week, added that he has declined visits from well-wishers over his election “out of respect for the martyrs” who were killed during Israel’s war on Lebanon, which ended with a ceasefire in November.