Turkish Defense Ministry talks military operations in northern Iraq

The Turkish Air Force’s military operations in northern Iraq will be held until all terrorists are destroyed, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said.

"The Turkish Air Force is successfully conducting the operations to destroy terrorists in northern Iraq,” Akar added, Trend reports on Sept. 3 referring to the Turkish media.

"Security is the most important thing for Turkey,” he said. "Ankara is ready to do everything to ensure security.”

On May 27, the Turkish Air Force and the Armed Forces launched a large-scale operation dubbed 'Pence' (Paw) in the Hakurk region in northern Iraq.

The conflict between Turkey and the PKK, which demands the creation of an independent Kurdish state, has been lasting around 40 years, claiming more than 40,000 lives. The PKK is recognized as a terrorist organization by the UN and the EU.