Turkey neutralizes 16 PKK terrorists in southeast

By Muhammed Boztepe

ANKARA (AA) - At least 16 PKK terrorists have been neutralized in the last five days during counter-terror operations in southeastern Turkey, the Interior Ministry said Wednesday.

They include two terrorists wanted on the gray category of the Interior Ministry list. The wanted list is divided into five color-coded categories, with red as the most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange and gray.

They were identified as Orhan Ince codenamed Kocer and Canda Kici codenamed Kader Malgoz.

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

Turkish jets pounded terrorist targets in Bestler-Dereler and Herekol regions of Sirnak and Siirt provinces as part of Operation Kiran-3.

On Aug. 17, Turkey launched the multi-phased domestic offensive Operation Kiran against PKK terrorists in the country's southeast.

As a part of Operation Kiran-1,2,3, the security forces have neutralized 43 terrorists, destroyed 58 caves and seized large quantities of ammunition.

Some 155 teams comprising 2,325 personnel are taking part in the operation.

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.