Defense Minister Hulusi Akar highlighted the importance of Turkey’s latest counterterrorism operation, saying that it is the key link in the chain of operations against the PKK terrorist group.

Akar made the remarks while attending a reception at the 4th Efficiency and Technology Fair held by Turkey's Ankara Science University at the ATO Congresium in the capital Ankara.

In his speech at the event, Akar said it was a source of pride and honor for the event to dedicate the reception to the soldiers who participated in Operation Claw-Lock.

Explaining that the operations continue with an offensive approach for the security of the country and the nation, he said they also contribute to the peace of the world and the region as much as they can.

"Operation Claw-Lock is the key link in the chain of operations we have carried out so far," Akar said, underlining that the Turkish army will successfully continue its operations until the last terrorist is eliminated and the struggle won.

Turkish authorities use the term "neutralized" in statements to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

Akar said Turkish soldiers had been continuing their operations with increasing vigor, without losing focus, sensitivity or composure.

"There is no difference between the YPG in northern Syria and the PKK in northern Iraq. All intelligence reports, open sources, and practical applications clearly show that they are parts of a terrorist organization. No one should doubt it.

"By continuing our operations in this manner...the safety of our borders, citizens and security forces will be fully ensured. Our work and effort is in this order," he added.

Pointing out that Turkish soldiers continue their operations in a way that respects human rights, the environment and religious structures, Akar underlined that innocent people, the environment and historical and religious structures are inviolable to the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK).

Launched in April, the new operation, called "Operation Claw-Lock," targets the terrorists in the Metina, Zap and Avashin-Basyan regions.

The group maintains bases in northern Iraq and has used the territory for attacks on Turkey. Turkey has conducted numerous cross-border aerial and ground operations against the PKK over the past decades.

The new operation came on the heels of Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle launched by the Turkish army in northern Iraq in 2020. Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle began in border regions of northern Iraq in 2020 to ensure the safety of the Turkish people and frontiers.

The PKK terrorist group often hides out in northern Iraq, just across Turkey's southern border, to plot terrorist attacks in Turkey. The Turkish military regularly conducts cross-border operations in northern Iraq.

Turkey has long been stressing that it will not tolerate terrorist threats posed against its national security and has called on Iraqi officials to take the necessary steps to eliminate the terrorist group. Ankara previously noted that if the expected steps were not taken, it would not shy away from targeting terrorist threats.

Relations with Greece, defense industry

Touching on the bilateral relations between Turkey and Greece, Akar said: "We expect Greece to see events in a global way and to make the right and logical decisions."

"It is really nothing short of failure for a country with so much debt to be caught up in the so-called love of armaments or to run for new alliances when there is an alliance within NATO," he said.

He noted that domestic and national production, which has reached 80% in the defense industry, has reached a point where it will meet the basic needs of the TSK and also expressed awareness of the difficulties of the road ahead.

Describing the steps taken by Turkey in the defense industry by saying that "the genie is out of the bottle," Akar added: "Our businesspeople and universities have no problem in terms of producing information, converting it into technology, and projecting it into the defense industry."

It has not remained mentally and psychologically. These psychological barriers have been broken down."

In its more than 40-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union – has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.