UPDATE - Turkish jets ‘neutralize’ 35 PKK terrorists in Qandil

UPDATES WITH ANOTHER OPERATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ, TURKEY

By Orhan Onur Gemici

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish jets "neutralized” 35 PKK terrorists as part of counterterrorism operations in northern Iraq’s Qandil region, the military said Sunday.

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

In a statement, the Turkish General Staff said the fighter jets had conducted airstrikes targeting the terror group on June 15 in Qandil region.

Airstrikes on PKK targets in northern Iraq have been carried out regularly since July 2015, when the PKK resumed its decades-long armed campaign.

Turkey has launched anti-terror operations in both Qandil and Sinjar regions in northern Iraq, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.

Separately on Saturday, Turkish army "neutralized" nine terrorists in northern Iraq's Zap and Avasin-Basyan regions, and Cukurca district of Turkey’s southeastern Hakkari province, the military said.

Turkish jets also destroyed terrorist shelters, hideouts, and weapons pits during the operation, the army added.

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, over 40,000 people have been killed, including women and children.