Three PKK militants killed in Turkish shelling in Iraq

Two Turkish warplanes bombed the border of the village of Tutagli, which belongs to the Jumjumal district, between Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk provinces on Saturday.

"Three Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) members were killed along with two other civilians as a result of the bombing by Turkish planes against headquarters believed to belong to the PKK in the Jumjumal district," Al Mayadeen correspondent reported.

The Turkish defense ministry said 3 officers and 6 soldiers were killed in its operations against PKK militants in northern Iraq, which rose the Turkish army's losses since the start of Operation Claw Lock to 3 soldiers and 7 soldiers, in addition to the injury of 7 others.

The Turkish defense also announced the death of one of its soldiers by an explosive device in northern Iraq, noting that "the soldier was injured by an explosive device planted in the area of Matina in northern Iraq, who later died in the hospital."

On April 18, Turkey announced the launch of  what it calls Operation Claw Lock against PKK militants in the areas of Metina, Zap, and Avashin-Basyan, noting that "this operation is aimed at tightening the noose on terrorists and eliminating them in their strongholds."

The Turkish defense minister said Operation Claw Lock, launched in northern Iraq, was long-planned and prepared for based on the coordination process with institutions, organizations, and forces.