Members of Turkish Police Special Forces secure the area near the Interior Ministry following a bomb attack in Ankara, on October 1, 2023, leaving two police officers injured. (PHOTO / AFP)

ANKARA - Turkish forces carried out airstrikes in northern Iraq and destroyed 20 targets of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the country's Defense Ministry said Sunday evening.

The Turkish airstrikes targeted the PKK bases in Gara, Hakurk, Metina and Qandil, the ministry said in a statement.

The Interior Ministry said that one of the attackers was identified as a member of the PKK and an investigation is underway to determine the identity of the other

The military campaign came after two attackers attempted a bomb attack in front of the Turkish Interior Ministry's building in the capital Ankara on Sunday morning, which slightly injured two police officers.

One attacker died after he set off the suicide bomb, while the other was shot dead by the police.

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The Interior Ministry said that one of the attackers was identified as a member of the PKK and an investigation is underway to determine the identity of the other.

The Turkish forces frequently carry out ground operations, airstrikes, and artillery bombardments in northern Iraq against the PKK, especially in the Qandil Mountains, the main base of the group.

Members of Turkish Police Special Forces secure the area near the Interior Ministry following a bomb attack in Ankara, on October 1, 2023, leaving two police officers injured. (PHOTO / AFP)

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for more than three decades.

Several countries condemned the bomb attack and expressed their support for Türkiye.

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The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Egypt's firm rejection to all forms of terrorism and violence that lead to destabilization and intimidation of citizens.

Egypt affirmed its full solidarity with the Turkish government and people and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry expressed Qatar's solidarity with the government and people of Türkiye in the face of terrorism and voiced its full support for all measures taken to maintain security and stability.

The ministry also reiterated Qatar's firm rejection of violence and terrorism.