Turkey neutralizes 4 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey neutralized four PKK terrorists during air operations in northern Iraq, the country's National Defense Ministry said on Friday.

Authorities often use the word “neutralized" in statements to imply terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

The terrorists were neutralized in the Qandil region -- where the terrorist group has its headquarters -- in a joint operation by the Turkish National Intelligence Service (MIT) and Turkish security forces, the ministry said on Twitter.

On May 27, Turkey launched Operation Claw against the PKK in the Hakurk region of northern Iraq. The ongoing offensive has neutralized dozens of terrorists so far.

PKK terrorists often use northern Iraq as a base to plan cross-border terrorist attacks on Turkey.

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 nearly 40,000 people in Turkey, including many children, women, and infants.