UPDATE - Turkey neutralizes 7 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq

UPDATES WITH ADDITIONAL OPERATION; CHANGES HEAD, DECK, LEDE

By Havva Kara Aydin and Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces neutralized seven PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

The terrorists were neutralized in two separate air operations in the Zap and Avasin regions, the ministry said on Twitter, sharing footage of the action.

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

The terrorists, detected through reconnaissance and surveillance, were plotting an attack, the ministry said.

Operations will continue until the last terrorist is neutralized, it added.

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

In its more than 30-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 over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.