Over 60 PKK terrorists neutralized in northern Iraq

By Baris Gundogan

ANKARA (AA) - A total of 64 PKK terrorists were "neutralized" in northern Iraq from June 1-7 during security operations, the Turkish military said Friday.

In a statement, the General Staff said that 4,503 terrorists have been "neutralized" since the beginning of Operation Olive Branch in Syria this January.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the death of some 40,000 people, including those of women and children.

The YPG/PKK and PYD/PKK are Syrian branches of the terrorist PKK and the focus of Turkey's successful counter-terrorist Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria, near the border with Turkey.