2 terrorists neutralized in southeastern Turkey

By Jeyhun Aliyev

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces neutralized two terrorists during an operation in the country's southeast, the Interior Ministry said Tuesday.

The provincial Gendarmerie Command in Hakkari province neutralized the terrorists as part of Operation Kiran, the ministry said and added that anti-terror operations are continuing in the region.

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

On Aug. 18, Turkey launched Operation Kiran against PKK terrorists in Van, Hakkari and Sirnak provinces, followed by the launch of Operation Kiran-2 on Aug. 27 in the Mardin, Sirnak and Batman provinces.

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 the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The terrorist YPG is the PKK's Syrian branch.