3 terrorists 'neutralized' in southeastern Turkey

By Orhan Onur Gemici

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces Wednesday neutralized three terrorists in southeastern Sirnak province, according to a security source.

Three terrorists were neutralized in an air-backed operation, carried out by gendarmerie forces in the Idil district of the province, said the security source who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

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

Security operations are still underway in the region.

Though the statement did not mention any specific terrorist group, Turkish forces have been conducting operations against the PKK terrorist organization in the region for over 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 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.