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While clashes between Turkish troops and Kurdish fighters in Iraqi Kurdistan have been continuing for almost a week, differing casualty figures were reported by both sides.
As the People’s Defence Forces (HPG), the armed wing of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), announced that 21 Turkish troops were killed between 17 and 22 April, the Turkish Defence Ministry (MSB) put the figure at three. The MSB released a statement on Friday, saying that an army lieutenant and two army sergeants were killed in clashes.
The ministry claimed that 42 ‘terrorists’ (the official term used by Turkish authorities referring to Kurdish fighters) were killed during the military operation in the same period of five days.
There have been no recent reports by the HPG on Kurdish casualties.
The Turkish military launched its latest incursion into Iraqi Kurdistan on 17 April, reportedly both from bases in Turkey and from those previously established in Iraqi territory during earlier operations.
Bombardment by Turkish artillery and warplanes were followed by the deployment of troops, dropped by helicopters into the areas in the Zap region. Invading Turkish forces are assisted by warplanes, attack helicopters, and armed and surveillance drones.
Some forces of the Kurdistan Region’s ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) have been reported to be dispatched to aid Turkish forces.
