UPDATE - Turkey ‘neutralizes’ 11 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq

UPDATES WITH NUMBER OF TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE; ADDS DETAILS

By Ferdi Turkten and Muhammed Nuri Erdogan

ANKARA (AA) - A total of 11 PKK terrorists were "neutralized" in operations conducted by Turkish forces in northern Iraq, according to security sources on Wednesday.

Nine of the terrorists were “neutralized” in an operation carried out by Turkey's National Intelligence Organization in Iraq's northern Gara region, said a source on condition of anonymity due to restriction on speaking to the media.

Two other PKK terrorists were “neutralized” by ATAK helicopters in the Operation Pence-Simsek zone, the Defense Ministry said on Twitter.

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

The PKK terror group often uses bases in northern Iraq just across Turkey's southern border to hide and plot terror attacks in Turkey.

In its more than 35-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 at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.