Turkey ‘neutralizes’ 4 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish fighter jets “neutralized” four PKK terrorists as part of a counter-terrorism operation in northern Iraq, the country’s National Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

The terrorists, who were detected by reconnaissance and surveillance activities, were “neutralized” in an air operation in northern Iraq's Qandil region, the ministry said on Twitter.

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

PKK terrorists often take shelter in northern Iraq to plan cross-border terrorist attacks in Turkey.

The statement added that counter-terrorism operations in the region would continue unabated.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.