9 terrorists 'neutralized' in southeastern Turkey

By Hamdi Celikbas

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces neutralized nine terrorists in southeastern Sirnak province, the Interior Ministry said on Monday.

In a written statement, the ministry said that police and the Gendarmerie – a paramilitary police in Turkey -- carried out a counter-terrorism operation in Sirnak's rural areas.

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 under way, the statement added.

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.