Turkey launches new strikes in Syria, Iraq in retaliation for killing of its soldiers

ANKARA — Turkey on Friday launched a series of air strikes against US-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) positions in northern Syria and northern Iraq in retaliation for the killing of Turkish soldiers in northern Iraq.

Earlier on Friday, nine Turkish soldiers were killed and four others wounded as a result of an attack on a Turkish military base in northern Iraq by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). 

The Turkish Defense Ministry said 15 militants were “neutralized” during ongoing operations in the northern Iraqi regions of Metina, Hakurk, Gara and Qandil. 

In northern Syria, the ministry said a total of 29 targets — including caves, shelters and oil refineries used by the SDF — were “eliminated.” 

The PKK, which has been fighting Turkish forces for self rule inside Turkey since 1984,  is considered to be a terrorist organization by Ankara, Washington and the majority of European capitals. Ankara also deems the SDF as a threat to its national security, citing its links to the PKK. 

Canceling his previous plans, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for a national security meeting in Istanbul on Saturday following the killings of the Turkish soldiers, the president’s communication czar Fahrettin Altun said. 

Turkish foreign, defense and interior ministers, Hakan Fidan, Yasar Guler, Ali Yerlikaya, as well as Metin Gurak, the chief of Turkish armed forces, and Ibrahim Kalin, the head of the Turkish intelligence agency, will join the meeting.