UPDATE - Turkey neutralizes 10 PKK terrorists in cross-border operations

UPDATES WITH MORE TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED IN IRAQ, SYRIA; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Gozde Bayar and Seda Sevencan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces neutralized 10 PKK terrorists in Iraq and Syria, the National Defense Ministry said on Monday.

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

Five PKK terrorists were neutralized in an air-backed operation in the Gara region in northern Iraq, the ministry said in a written statement.

Separately, three PKK terrorists were neutralized by Turkish armed unmanned aerial vehicles in the Zap region in northern Iraq, the ministry said on Twitter.

Turkey's anti-terror operations continue without any letup, it added.

PKK terrorists often hide out in northern Iraq, across Turkey's border, to plan attacks in Turkey.

Also, Turkish soldiers neutralized two YPG/PKK terrorists, who attempted to infiltrate into the zone of Operation Euphrates Shield in northern Syria, the ministry said.

Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

While the terrorist presence in these areas has been largely eradicated, terror groups have made periodic efforts to shatter the peace in the region.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK.