Turkey neutralizes 2 PKK terrorists in N.Iraq

By Sena Guler

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey neutralized two more PKK terrorists as part of its anti-terror operation in northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

“Operation Claw-Eagle 2 is ongoing in Gara region of northern Iraq. Two PKK terrorists detected in the region are neutralized in an air operation,” the ministry said on Twitter.

It added that the number of terrorists neutralized since the start of the second phase of Operation Claw-Eagle on Wednesday has reached 39.

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

Turkey's operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle were launched last June to ensure the safety of Turkish people and borders by neutralizing the threat of the PKK and other terrorist groups that often use northern Iraq to plan cross-border attacks.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.