2 terrorists 'neutralized' in southeastern Turkey

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces neutralized two terrorists in the southeastern province of Siirt, the Interior Ministry said early Sunday.

In a statement, the ministry said the gendarmerie carried out a counter-terrorism operation in the rural areas of Siirt's Baykan district.

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

The operation is still underway, the statement added.

Although the statement did not mention any specific terrorist group, Turkish forces have been conducting operations against the PKK terrorist organization in the region for a long time.

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