In the aftermath of a suicide bombing in the capital Ankara, Turkey has conducted air strikes in northern Iraq, targeting 20 locations linked to the Kurdish militant group PKK. The PKK claimed responsibility for the bombing that left two police officers injured just hours before the parliament’s reopening after a three-month summer recess.

Turkey’s interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, reported that two terrorists carried out the attack. One died in the explosion, while the other was killed in a subsequent shoot-out with the police. The Euphrates News Agency released a statement indicating that the airstrike successfully destroyed caves, bunkers, and warehouses associated with the responsible terrorists.

On X (formerly Twitter), a Turkish government spokesperson stated, “Air operations were carried out against terrorist targets in the Metina, Hakurk, Kandil, and Gara regions in the north of Iraq.” The statement emphasised the use of domestic ammunition in neutralising many terrorists during the operation.

The Turkish Armed Forces vowed to persistently combat terrorism, ensuring the security of the homeland and its people. The government underscored its commitment to avoiding harm to civilians during the airstrikes. While there is no immediate information on the assailants, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced an investigation into the “terror attack,” reassuring that such attacks would not deter Turkey’s resolute fight against terrorism.

“Despite these attacks, our fight against terrorism will continue with more determination,” wrote Justice Minister Tunc on X. The situation remains tense as Turkey remains steadfast in its efforts to combat various extremist groups that have previously orchestrated deadly attacks across the country.