In the wake of the deaths of nine Turkish soldiers in northern Iraq during clashes with outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants, a Turkish defense ministry official announced on Thursday that Turkey might conduct additional cross-border operations into Iraq and Syria if deemed necessary.

The fatalities occurred in the Zap region of northern Iraq when PKK militants attacked a security point established by the Turkish Armed Forces at an altitude of 1,740 meters. In response, Ankara initiated air strikes and other operations in both northern Iraq and northern Syria.

The defense ministry official emphasized Turkey's right, under international law and in self-defense, to carry out operations for border security. The Turkish Armed Forces have historically engaged in cross-border operations against the PKK, with ongoing efforts such as "Operation Claw" in northern Iraq. The official specified that the current operation in the Zap region is named "Claw-Lock," aimed at securing the Turkish-Iraqi border.

On January 12, PKK members launched simultaneous attacks on multiple Turkish bases in northern Iraq amid adverse weather conditions and poor visibility. Turkish soldiers successfully thwarted all but one of the attacks.

The PKK, labeled a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, initiated armed conflict against the Turkish state in 1984, resulting in over 40,000 casualties. While the conflict initially focused on rural areas of southeastern Turkey, it has shifted to the mountains of northern Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, where PKK militants are currently based.

The defense ministry official highlighted the interconnectedness of the fight against terrorism in Syria and Iraq, asserting that Syria serves as the main human resource hub for the terror organization, with frequent transitions between Syria and Iraq.

Turkey has also conducted military incursions into Syria's north against the YPG militia, which it considers a wing of the PKK. The official concluded by stating that Turkey could undertake new cross-border operations into Iraq and Syria, expanding its operational zones if deemed necessary for its security.