Erdogan: Türkiye to End Northern Iraq Operation Soon

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a press conference on the sidelines of the NATO 75th anniversary summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, July 11, 2024. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a press conference on the sidelines of the NATO 75th anniversary summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, July 11, 2024. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)
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Erdogan: Türkiye to End Northern Iraq Operation Soon

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a press conference on the sidelines of the NATO 75th anniversary summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, July 11, 2024. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a press conference on the sidelines of the NATO 75th anniversary summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, July 11, 2024. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)

Türkiye will end its "Claw-Lock" cross-border operation in northern Iraq soon, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday.

"We will close the lock very soon in the Claw Operation Zone in northern Iraq," Erdogan said at the National Defense University's graduation ceremony.

Turkish forces have carried out cross-border operations against PKK militants in northern Iraq since 2019.

Erdogan said that the PKK had been "completely trapped" in both Iraq and Syria, telling young military academy graduates that Turkish forces were "all over them."

"We will complete the missing points of the security corridor along our southern border with Syria."

On Wednesday, Iraq denounced fresh incursions by the Turkish army into its territory in the autonomous Kurdistan region, urging Ankara to resolve security issues diplomatically.



Iraqi Air Force Strikes ISIS Positions in Hamrin Mountains

An Iraqi military force in a previous operation to pursue ISIS in Salahuddin, Diyala, and Samarra (Iraqi News Agency)
An Iraqi military force in a previous operation to pursue ISIS in Salahuddin, Diyala, and Samarra (Iraqi News Agency)
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Iraqi Air Force Strikes ISIS Positions in Hamrin Mountains

An Iraqi military force in a previous operation to pursue ISIS in Salahuddin, Diyala, and Samarra (Iraqi News Agency)
An Iraqi military force in a previous operation to pursue ISIS in Salahuddin, Diyala, and Samarra (Iraqi News Agency)

The Iraqi Security Media Cell reported on Friday that an aerial strike by F-16 aircraft in Mount Hamrin, near the border of Kirkuk and Salahuddin governorates, killed three ISIS militants.

In a statement, the cell said the operation was executed with “high-level coordination” between the Counter-Terrorism Service and the Joint Operations Command.

A force from the Counter-Terrorism Service’s Kirkuk regiment, assisted by technical and reconnaissance support from the Joint Operations Command, proceeded to inspect the site of the strike.

They discovered the bodies of three ISIS militants and seized light weapons, ammunition, explosives, and two explosive belts. They also found several destroyed weapons, equipment, communication devices, and various logistical materials.

This comes at a time when Baha Araji, an Iraqi official, announced that a deal has been reached with Washington to end the US-led international coalition’s operations in Iraq.

The official stated that this decision comes after careful consideration and discussions that have been ongoing since February.

The announcement was made on a televised broadcast, where Araji highlighted the significance of this move, emphasizing the longstanding ties between Iraq and the US.

This decision marks the end of a cooperative phase that began with the coalition’s establishment.

Additionally, it was mentioned that Iraqi forces have taken control of several areas, maintaining security and stability. Araji underscored that this transition reflects Iraq’s growing capabilities and sovereignty.

This development follows the recent interactions between Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani and US representatives, aimed at redefining the future relationship between Baghdad and Washington.