UPDATE - Turkey ‘neutralizes’ 11 terrorists in N. Iraq

UPDATES WITH MORE TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK

By Can Erozden and Nilay Kar

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish jets neutralized over 10 PKK terrorists as part of an anti-terror operation in northern Iraq, the military said on Sunday.

In a Twitter post, the Turkish General Staff said the airstrikes “neutralized” seven PKK terrorists in Gara region.

The military said the terrorists were plotting attacks on Turkish bases.

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

In a separate statement issued earlier in the day, the army said four PKK terrorists were also neutralized in Hakurk and Zap regions in an air operation on Saturday.

The strikes also destroyed shelters and ammunition depots belonging to the terrorists in the area, the statement added.

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.