Turkish army launches ground operation in northern Iraq

SANAA, May 28 (YPA) – The Turkish army announced on Tuesday the launch of an air-backed ground operation in the Hawkurk region of northern Iraq aimed at destroying PKK positions, according to a Turkish army statement received  by Sputnik agency.

” The Operation, which was launched on Monday evening, with the participation of the commando brigade aimed at destroying PKK sites and neutralizing terrorists in the Hakkurk region,” added the statement.

“The operation continues in the Hawkurk area, as planned,” the statement said.

Ankara regularly launches raids on Kurdish party positions in northern Iraq and classifies it as a “terrorist” organization.

The party took up arms for three decades to gain autonomy for the Kurds before declaring a ceasefire in 2015.

Since 1984, the conflict has killed more than 40,000 people.