Title: Five Turkish Soldiers Killed in Military Operations in Iraq

A Turkish Defense Ministry official stated today, Thursday, that "five Turkish soldiers were killed in a clash with militants from the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq." The official said: "The five soldiers were killed in the first round of gunfire from PKK militants while conducting field search and inspection operations." He added: "The PKK has significant fortifications around the area, where the terrain is very rugged, but the area will be cleared of terrorists despite the attacks." The clash occurred in the Zarb area, where Turkey is conducting a cross-border operation named "Claw-Lock."