2 terrorists 'neutralized' in southeastern Turkey

By Jeyhun Aliyev

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey’s armed forces have neutralized two terrorists, one of whom was wanted and was carrying head money, during an operation in the country’s southeastern Sirnak province.

These terrorists were "neutralized" on Sept. 22 during Operation Eren-13 in the province's Bestler-Dereler district, according to a statement released by the country's Interior Ministry on Thursday.

The provincial gendarmerie commando and special forces units, with the support of the Gendarmerie Armed Drone and Air Force Command conducted the operation against the terrorists, it said.

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

Mehdi Uysal, codenamed Zagros Cudi, was one of the terrorists who acted as the so-called person in charge of the terror group's activities in the Sirnak province. He was on the Interior Ministry's wanted list in the grey category, with a reward of up to 500,000 Turkish liras (nearly $56,300).

Turkey's wanted list is divided into five color-coded categories, with red being the most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange, and gray.

The terrorist was involved in terrorist acts in Sirnak province in 2015-2016, according to the statement.

"Operations aimed at ensuring the peace and safety of our people in our region will continue uninterruptedly, with the support of our people, in an even stronger and more determined manner," it added.

Operation Eren, named after Eren Bulbul, a 15-year-old killed by the terrorist PKK on Aug. 11, 2017, began in January to eliminate terrorism in the country.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.