Iraqi national among 13 executed by PKK: Turkey

MALATYA, Turkey

An Iraqi national was among the 13 people killed by PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, a local authority in eastern Turkey announced Monday.

The Governor’s Office in Malatya province said in a statement that the identities of 12 Turkish citizens were disclosed to the public after autopsies were conducted at a forensic lab.

On Feb. 14, Turkey’s defense chief announced 13 bodies were found during Turkey's anti-terror operation in Gara, northern Iraq.

Initially, it was believed that all of them were Turkish nationals.

However, after the autopsy it was confirmed that the 13th body belonged to Jotyar Muhsin Hussein, an Iraqi national.

The body was returned to the family.

Turkish forces carried out a four-day Operation Claw-Eagle 2 in Gara in early February to prevent the PKK and other terror groups from re-establishing positions used to carry out cross-border terror attacks on Turkey.

Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle were initiated last June to ensure the safety of Turkey's people and borders.

The massacre by the terrorists caused public outcry in Turkey, with political figures and local authorities vowing to fight against terrorism until the last one of them is neutralized.

The PKK execution also drew worldwide reactions.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

*Contributions and writing by Sena Guler in Ankara