Skip to main content

Erdogan says Turkey's strikes in Syria, Iraq may lead to ground offensive

As the dust settles from airstrikes on Kurdish militants in Syria and Iraq, Turkey is threatening a wider operation in the region.

BAY ISMOYO/AFP via Getty Images
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives for the opening of the G20 Summit in Nusa Dua on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on Nov. 15, 2022. — BAY ISMOYO/AFP via Getty Images

ISTANBUL — For months Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has promised to “come suddenly in the night” for Kurdish militants on Turkey’s southern border. On Saturday night, scores of F-16 fighter jets and drones did exactly that.

The air operation, "Claw-Sword," was ostensibly launched in response to the Nov. 13 bomb attack on Istanbul’s Istiklal Street that killed six people and wounded over 80 others.

Related Topics

Subscribe for unlimited access

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more

$14 monthly or $100 annually ($8.33/month)
OR

Continue reading this article for free

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more.

By signing up, you agree to Al-Monitor’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Already have an account? Log in