Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that since the beginning of this year, 1,999 terrorists have been neutralized in northern Syria and Iraq.

He stressed: “Turkish forces will continue to fight terrorism inside and outside the country until the last terrorist is eliminated and the Turkish borders are secured,” pointing to the “recent increase in terrorist attacks in northern Syria, especially from the Manbij regions. and Tal-Rifaat”, emphasizing that “the Turkish army responds to the terrorists as needed.”

Akar pointed out that “Turkish forces have neutralized 35,268 terrorists since July 24, 2015” and added that “Turkish forces have neutralized 1,999 terrorists in northern Syria and Iraq since the beginning of this year, as well as 277 terrorists under Operation Claw-al- Kaul.

On April 18, Turkey launched Operation Claw-Castle against the strongholds of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which Ankara classifies as a terrorist organization, in the Mtina, Zab and Afshin-Basian regions in northern Iraq.