UPDATE 3 - 12 PKK terrorists ‘neutralized’ in N. Iraq, SE Turkey

UPDATES WITH ANOTHER OPERATION IN ZAP REGION; CHANGES HEADLINE, LEDE

By Fatih Hafiz Mehmet

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish military "neutralized" 12 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq and southeastern Turkey over the last two days, according to officials on Tuesday.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.

In a Twitter post, Turkish General Staff said its jets conducted airstrikes against PKK terrorists on Monday and Tuesday in northern Iraq's Zap and Metina regions and "neutralized" four terrorists.

Weapon emplacements and ammunition depots belonging to the terror group were also destroyed during the airstrikes, it added.

Separately, Turkish security forces conducted an operation against PKK in southeastern Mus province and two PKK terrorists were "neutralized" on Tuesday, the provincial governor's office said in a written statement.

Also, a PKK terrorist was arrested in southeastern Sanliurfa on Tuesday after the gendarmerie raided an address in Karakopru district, said the security sources on condition of anonymity.

Later on Tuesday, the military said Turkish forces neutralized six more PKK terrorists in airstrikes on Zap region.

The terrorists were plotting attack on Turkish bases, the army said.

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.