29 PKK terrorists 'neutralized’ in SE Turkey district

ANKARA (AA) – A total of 29 members of a separatist terrorist organization have been neutralized in airstrikes in southeastern Hakkari province's rural Cukurca district since Sept. 6, Turkish military told Anadolu Agency Thursday.

Although the Turkish General Staff did not specify the group, the term separatist terrorist organization usually refers to the PKK.

The latest figure brings the total number of terrorists neutralized in the area to 186 since operations there began earlier this month.

All fighter jets and armed drones involved returned to their bases safely after the operation.

Tension is high in southeastern Turkey since the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU -- resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July last year.

Since then, more than 600 security personnel have been martyred and more than 7,000 PKK terrorists killed.