The MND said in a press briefing that the total number of militants killed by Türkiye in 2023 had reached 2,237, including 717 in Operation Claw-Lock, which targets the PKK/YPG in northern Iraq.

The MND also said that it had seized 1,887 weapons and 792,545 ammunition, destroyed 2,582 mines and improvised explosives, and rendered 849 caves and bunkers unusable in the operation.

In Syria, where Türkiye backs rebel groups against the Syrian government and the PKK/YPG, the MND said that it had faced 526 harassment and attacks since the beginning of 2023, and had neutralized 1,529 militants in response.

The MND also said that it had apprehended 118 people and prevented 2,113 people from crossing the border illegally in the last week, bringing the total numbers to 13,758 and 209,402 respectively since the start of 2023.

Türkiye considers the PKK/YPG as a terrorist organization and has been fighting them for decades. The PKK/YPG denies being linked to the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist group by Türkiye, the US and the EU. (ILKHA)