7 terrorists 'neutralized' in southeastern Turkey

By Zehra Nur Duz

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces neutralized seven terrorists in the southeastern Hakkari province, the Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.

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

The terrorists were neutralized in air-supported security operations launched by the provincial gendarmerie command in Hakkari’s Yuksekova district, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

Anti-terror operations are ongoing, it added.

Though the statement did not mention a specific terrorist group, Turkey has long been conducting operations against the PKK terrorist organization in the region.

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.