18 terrorists 'neutralized' this week in Turkey, N Iraq

By Ali Kemal Akan

ANKARA (AA) - A total of 18 PKK terrorists were "neutralized" in Turkey's southeastern provinces of Diyarbakir, Mardin and northern Iraq this week, the Turkish General Staff said on Saturday.

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

According to a statement from the military, the operations took place from March 2-9.

One of the neutralized terrorists was from the senior cadre of the PKK, it added.

One soldier was martyred and two were wounded during the operations in the same period.

A total of 7,858 people were also detained over the week, while trying to cross the Turkish borders illegally.

The statement said 117 soldiers wounded during Operation Olive Branch returned to their duties after medical treatment.

As part of the operation, 3,213 PYD/YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists were neutralized, 42 soldiers were martyred and 202 soldiers were wounded, the statement added.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin, northwestern Syria.

The PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, waged a terror campaign against Turkey for more than 30 years and has been responsible for the death of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.