Türkiye says downing of its drone in Syria has not affected anti-terrorism operation

The downing of a Turkish drone in Syria has in no way affected the ongoing anti-terrorism operation there, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

“Following the terrorist attack that took place on October 1, 2023, our Armed Forces and Intelligence Organization carried out comprehensive operations against PKK/YPG terrorist targets in Iraq and Syria in line with our rights of self-defense,” a ministry statement said.

In Sunday’s foiled attack in the Turkish capital, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the Interior Ministry gate while another terrorist was killed by security forces. Two police officers suffered minor injuries in the attack. The Turkish Interior Ministry has confirmed the attackers’ ties to the terrorist group PKK.

“In this context, numerous targets belonging to the separatist terrorist organization have been destroyed, particularly in the Tal Rifat, Jazira, and Derik regions in northern Syria, as of yesterday (Oct. 5)," the Foreign Ministry said.

"During the operation, due to differing technical assessments in the de-escalation mechanism operated with third parties, one unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) was lost," it said.

“Necessary measures are being taken to ensure that the de-escalation mechanism is operated more effectively with the relevant parties,” the statement added.

The incident has in no way affected the ongoing execution of the operation and the targeting of identified objectives, it said.

"Just as it is done in Iraq, all the capabilities and sources of income developed by the terrorist organization in Syria will continue to be systematically destroyed," the ministry said.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is its Syrian branch.