UPDATE - Turkish jets ‘neutralize’ 12 terrorists in Iraq

UPDATES WITH KILLING OF MORE TERRORISTS IN HATAY

By Muhammed Ali Toruntay

ANKARA (AA) - At least 12 PKK terrorists were "neutralized" Monday during an air operation as part of the Turkish military's major campaign against the PKK in northern Iraq.

The military generally uses the term "neutralize" to signify that the targets have been killed.

The Turkish General Staff said on its social media account that the operation was conducted in the Hakurk and Kani Rash regions of northern Iraq.

The number of terrorists neutralized since the March 10 launch of the operation, which targeted PKK camps and hideouts in the two regions, rose to 67, the Turkish General Staff added.

Airstrikes on PKK targets in northern Iraq, where the terror group has its main base in the Mt. Qandil region near the Iranian border, have been carried out regularly since July 2015, when the PKK resumed its armed terror campaign.

Separately, 11 PKK terrorists were killed in Turkey’s southern Hatay province late Monday, according to a statement issued by the provincial governor’s office.

The Turkish Army carried out airstrikes in Arsuz district and neutralized 11 terrorists.

“So far, only six terrorists’ bodies have been found,” the statement added.

The terrorists had been involved in a series of attacks, including firing on the Coast Guard Command in Samandag district on Oct. 19 last year and injuring security personnel while they were searching the area.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey as well as the U.S. and the EU. In its terror campaign against Turkey, which has lasted for more than three decades, more than 40,000 people have been killed, including women and children.