Turkish National Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Sunday that Türkiye neutralized 480 terrorists since the beginning of the ongoing Operation Claw-Lock.

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar inspected the Turkish troops deployed on the border with Iraq amid Ankara’s plans to launch a new ground cross-border operation into northern Syria.

Akar was accompanied by the Chief of the General Staff General Yaşar Güler and land, air and navy forces commanders.

Akar, who held a video conference meeting with the commanders of the units participating in the Claw Lock Operation, which continues against terrorist targets in the north of Iraq, stated that the operation continued successfully as planned despite the difficult and terrain conditions.

“We did not leave the blood of our friends on the ground. Since the beginning of Operation Claw Lock, 480 terrorists have been neutralized. We asked for the account of every drop of blood of our martyrs, and we will continue to do so” Akar said.