On August 4, 1991, a group of 100 to 150 PKK militants attacked the Samanlı Gendarmerie Station in Şemdinli in Hakkâri Province, southeastern Turkey using rocket launchers and other weapons."Karakol baskınını yaşayan yaralı asker cehennem saatlerini anlattı 'Liderlerini vurdum'", Milliyet, İhsan Akdemir (10 Ağustos 1998) The assault left 10 soldiers dead, seven others taken hostage, and nine injured.http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/en-cok-sehit-verdigimiz-dorduncu-saldiri-19025718 Following a meeting of the Motherland Party’s Central Decision and Board, Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz announced on the night of August 5, 1991 that a border operation had been launched against PKK elements in northern Iraq, with support from the Air Force Command.
The forces advanced into Iraqi territory, and it was also revealed that Mehmet Öcalan, the brother of Abdullah Öcalan, was present at the PKK camps in the region.Başbakan Yılmaz açıkladı: "PKK yuvaları vuruluyor", Milliyet (6 Ağustos 1991) The Turkish Armed Forces designated this mission “Operation Broom” to emphasize its objective of eliminating PKK positions and seizing their camps and munitions—a term that was publicly associated with the idea of cleansing the area.
In the combined ground and air-supported operation, the Hakurk camp was captured, several PKK camps in the area were demolished, and many militants fled to Iran."Operasyon noktalandı", Milliyet, 13 Ağustos 1991
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