Turkey neutralizes 5 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq

By Dilara Hamit

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces “neutralized” five PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, the nation’s Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

On Twitter, the ministry said the three terrorists plotting a terror attack were neutralized in a counter-terrorism operation conducted by Turkish Air Forces Command in the Haftanin region as part of Operation Claw-3, Turkey’s ongoing offensive in northern Iraq.

The two terrorists were neutralized in the Hakurk region of northern Iraq.

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

On May 27, Turkey launched Operation Claw against the PKK in the Hakurk region of northern Iraq, followed by its second and third phases in July and late August.

More than 400 PKK terrorists were “neutralized” in northern Iraq over the past four months, according to the ministry.

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 deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.