Warplanes hit PKK targets in Northern Iraq, 12 top figures killed in Şırnak

Turkish jets launched an air campaign on PKK targets in Northern Iraq late Wednesday, sources from the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) said, and also reportedly killed 12 PKK terrorists, some of whom were high ranking figures, in the İdil district of the province of Şırnak on the same day.

According to information obtained from inside sources, the operation continued for two hours and targeted PKK positions in Northern Iraq.

In the extensive operation in İdil, the PKK's so-called provincial head, his henchman and a female sniper trainer were among the people killed, reports in the Turkish media said.

Considered a heavy blow to the PKK, Wednesday's operation was carried out in collaboration with the Air Force.

Another terrorist specialized in making handmade explosives and setting up mines, was also among those who were killed. With the code name "Nuda," the terrorist reportedly fought in the ranks of the PKK-affiliated Democratic Union Party's (PYD) armed Peoples Protection Units (YPG) in Syria and returned to İdil on an order from the PKK leadership in their headquarters in Northern Iraq's Qandil Mountains.

A female sniper killed in the operations going by the name "Jiyan," was reportedly trained by the PKK's mountain squad. The sniper also reportedly fought for the YPG in Syria for around two years and returned to the district where she was assigned to train terrorists. Jiyan reportedly trained snipers who were killed in operations in Diyarbakır's Sur district.

A curfew was imposed on the district on Feb. 16 and teachers were instructed to leave the district and attend seminars in other cities. A new operation was launched to sweep out the PKK's presence, and since then, 39 terrorists have been killed in operations in İdil.