Turkish security forces carried out air operations in northern Iraq, near the Turkish border, destroying 16 terror targets and “neutralizing” many terrorists, the National Defense Ministry said, Paralel.Az reports.

The operations were carried out in the Gara, Metina, Hakurk and Qandil regions to prevent terrorist attacks on Türkiye and its security forces from northern Iraq by neutralizing members of the terror group PKK and other terrorist elements and to ensure border security in line with Türkiye’s self-defense rights arising from Article 51 of the UN Charter, the statement said.

The targets included caves, bunkers, shelters, and warehouses considered to be housing ringleaders of the terrorist PKK, it said.

A large number of terrorists were also "neutralized" in the operations, during which Turkish-made munitions were used, the ministry added.