Türkiye hit almost 90 YPG/PKK terror targets during air raids in northern regions of Iraq and Syria, the National Defense Ministry said on Sunday. 

"With the Operation Claw-Sword, 89 terror targets – 81 targets in the first stage and eight others this morning –including shelters, bunkers, caves, tunnels, ammunition depots, and so-called headquarters and training camps belonging to terrorists, who threaten our country, nation and border security, were destroyed," the ministry said in a statement, Yeni Safak reports. 

The statement came after Türkiye early Sunday launched Operation Claw-Sword, a cross-border aerial campaign against the KCK/YPG/PKK terrorist group in northern Iraq and Syria. The ministry said the operation was carried out in line with the right of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Türkiye carried out a "successful operation" in Qandil, Asos and Hakurk regions of northern Iraq and Arab Spring, Tal Rifat, Jazira, and Derik regions of northern Syria, it added.

"Among the terrorists neutralized in the air operation were the so-called leaders of the terrorist organization," the ministry also said.

The operation came after last Sunday's terror attack on Istanbul's crowded Istiklal Avenue that killed at least six and left 81 injured.

It was carried out to eliminate the terrorist attacks against Turkish people and security forces from the northern areas of Iraq and Syria, and to ensure Türkiye's border security, the ministry said.

"After the operation, in which mostly domestic and national ammunition was used, all of our aircraft returned safely to their bases," it added.