"Ismail Ozden, a member of the PKK executive committee and the terrorist group's senior figure in Sinjar… was eliminated during an operation conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces and intelligence on August 15," Turkey general staff said on Twitter.

Ozden was on the list of the most wanted PKK militants abroad, according to the general staff.

Tensions between Ankara and the Kurds escalated in July 2015 when a ceasefire between Turkey and the PKK collapsed over a series of attacks allegedly committed by the PKK members. The Turkish forces are involved in anti-PKK raids across the country and in northern Iraq.

The PKK's main base is reportedly located in the Qandil Mountains, an Iraqi mountainous area near the Iranian border.

Reporter’s code: 50101