2 terrorists 'neutralized' in southeast Turkey

By Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces have "neutralized" two terrorists in the country’s southeastern Hakkari province, the Interior Ministry said on Friday.

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

The terrorists were “neutralized” during internal security operations launched by the provincial Gendarmerie Command in Kirikdag district, the ministry said in a Twitter post.

Operations are ongoing in the region, it added.

Though the statement did not mention a specific terrorist group, Turkey has long been conducting operations against the PKK terrorist organization in the region.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including many women, children and infants.