Turkey: 255 terrorists 'neutralized' in N Iraq in 3 months

By Sarp Ozer

ANKARA (AA) - A total of 255 terrorists have been “neutralized” in Turkey’s anti-terror operations in northern Iraq over the past three months, according to the National Defense Ministry on Saturday.

In a Twitter post, the ministry gave the latest figures of the terrorists “neutralized” in counter-terrorism operations, including Operation Claw, in northern Iraq.

It said 34 terrorists were “neutralized” in airstrikes conducted between July 17-19.

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

On July 13, Turkey launched Operation Claw-2 as a follow-up to the successfully ongoing Claw-1, which was launched on May 27.

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.