ANKARA, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Turkish intelligence has killed a founder of the military wing of a Kurdish militant group in northern Iraq, state media said on Wednesday.

Türkiye's National Intelligence Organization targeted Islam Dotkanlou, a founder of the Eastern Kurdistan Defense Units (YRK), in an operation in Iraq's Sulaymaniyah Governorate, the semi-official Anadolu news agency reported. The YRK is the military wing of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), which Ankara says is linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Dotkanlou, also known as Amed Serhed, and his bodyguard Akam Sahe were killed in the operation, Anadolu said, adding that Dotkanlou had previously been involved in armed attacks against Turkish security forces in southeastern Türkiye.

He had moved to Iraq after Turkish operations against the PKK intensified, eventually settling in Sulaymaniyah, Anadolu reported.

The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. Türkiye frequently carries out military operations in northern Iraq, where the PKK has bases. Enditem

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