Turkey–ISIL conflict

The foreign ministers of Turkey, Russia and Qatar have expressed their determination in combatting terrorism and separatist moves in Syria in their first trilateral meeting devoted to the security, political and humanitarian problems of the war-torn country.

Three YPG/PKK terrorists in possession of $2 million were arrested in northern Syria, Turkish security sources said on March 6.

The suspects were gathering information for the terror group on security forces deployed in the region, said the sources, requesting anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

As the second largest army of NATO, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) is ready to combat ISIL, but the United States should cut its support to the YPG in Syria, the Turkish defense minister has said.

With the latest rescue operation in the Turkish capital, the number of the Ezidis rescued from terror groups has increased to three within the last 18-month period.

According to the information obtained by Anadolu Agency, Turkish intelligence and police units conduct operations both within the country and abroad to rescue those in need.

Turkey launched an operation early on Feb. 22 against the PKK terrorist organization in southeastern Mardin province.

The city governorate announced that the anti-terror operation will take place in a total of 18 neighborhoods in the towns of Mazıdağı, Derik and Kızıltepe.

Turkey's defense chief on Feb. 18 highlighted at a NATO meeting of defense ministers the importance of unity and solidarity among allies in the fight against terrorism.

At the virtual meeting, National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar cautioned that license restrictions, sanctioning attempts, and threats against Turkey would weaken the alliance.

NATO's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Feb. 17 condemned the recent killing of 13 Turkish nationals by PKK terrorists in northern Iraq.

"I would like to express my condolences to Turkey for the killing of Turkish citizens in Northern Iraq," Stoltenberg said at a news conference following the virtual meeting of NATO defense ministers.

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu on Feb. 16 separately paid visits to the Republican People's Party (CHP) and İYİ (Good) Party to inform them about the illegal PKK group's killing of 13 Turks in the Gara region of northern Iraq and Operation Claw-Eagle 2.

The ministers then briefed members of parliament on the details of the operation.

Security forces in Turkey arrested 114 people across the country on Feb. 15 over their alleged links to the PKK terror group.

The arrests come in the wake of the PKK execution in northern Iraq of 13 Turkish citizens held captive for six years, an incident that shocked the nation.

Turkish riot police. Photo: EPA-EFE/SEDAT SUNA

The Interior Ministry said on February 15 in a written statement: "718 people including the presidents of HDP district and city branches were detained as part of operations against the PKK's operations in the country. Detentions are still underway."