The Turkish air force conducted a series of air strikes in northern Iraq and Syria on Saturday, targeting 29 locations believed to be used by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), according to a statement by the Turkish defence ministry. These strikes come in response to the deaths of 12 Turkish soldiers in recent clashes with PKK militants in northern Iraq.

The air strikes, carried out at 20:00 local time, targeted bases, shelters, and oil facilities used by PKK militants. The specific regions in northern Iraq and Syria where the strikes occurred were not disclosed.

Earlier in the day, the defence ministry confirmed that 12 Turkish soldiers had lost their lives in the past two days during clashes with PKK militants in northern Iraq. Among the casualties, six soldiers were killed in an attack on a base near Hakurk, launched by PKK members on Friday.

In response to these developments, the Turkish military executed operations against PKK targets, resulting in the "neutralization" of at least 16 militants on Saturday. The term "neutralization" in Turkish military jargon typically implies that the militants were killed. Additionally, the ministry reported that seven militants had been killed during operations on Friday.

The PKK, considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has been engaged in an armed conflict with the Turkish government since 1984.

In October, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged to intensify strikes on "terrorist" targets in Iraq and Syria. Turkey frequently carries out air strikes in Iraq, especially targeting PKK militants who are known to have bases in the neighboring country.

These latest air strikes come as Turkey responds to the loss of its soldiers and reinforces its determination to combat the PKK threat in northern Iraq and Syria. The ongoing clashes and the subsequent military operations highlight the continued tensions in the region and the complexity of the situation.