UPDATE - Turkey neutralizes 3 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq

CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE, UPDATES WITH NEUTRALIZED TERRORISTS

By Cankut Tasdan and Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces on Monday “neutralized” at least three PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, according to Turkey’s National Defense Ministry.

In a Twitter post, the ministry said the terrorists were neutralized by the Turkish Air Force in the Metina region as part of the Pence-Yildirim anti-terror operation.

Earlier, Turkish security forces found a four-room cave in northern Iraq where PKK terrorists were hiding, authorities said on Monday.

Turkey’s National Defense Ministry said in a statement on Twitter that the cave was found in the Avasin-Basyan region.

The cave, which can shelter 50 terrorists, had a separate room with a steel door for hostages, it elaborated.

A total of nine improvised explosives and ammunition for 10 mortars were seized in the cave, the statement added.

Separately, Turkish security forces seized weapons and ammunition in a cave in the Avasin-Basyan region where six PKK terrorists were neutralized during the Pence-Yildirim anti-terror operation on Sunday, the ministry said.

Turkey launched operations Pence-Simsek and Pence-Yildirim on April 23 in northern Iraq’s Metina and Avasin-Basyan regions near its borders.

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 the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. ​​​​​​