President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey will continue military operations in northern Iraq until the PKK is eliminated, signaling no immediate pause in Ankara’s cross-border campaign. His comments came as NATO officials continue to discuss wider regional security concerns.

The statement underscores how Turkey is keeping up pressure on PKK positions inside Iraqi territory, a policy that has long strained relations with Baghdad and raised concern about civilian safety in border areas. Turkish authorities say the operations target militants, while critics warn the fighting can destabilize local communities.

The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Turkey and several Western governments, has been the focus of a decades-long conflict that has repeatedly spilled across borders. Erdogan’s remarks suggest Ankara plans to maintain its military approach despite the diplomatic sensitivity of operating inside a neighboring country.

The latest comments add to broader regional tensions at a time when security coordination remains a key issue for NATO members and governments across the Middle East.