UPDATE - Turkish jets ‘neutralize’ 6 PKK terrorists in N. Iraq

UPDATES WITH AIRSTRIKES IN HAFTANIN REGION; REVISES FIGURES, DECK, LEDE

By Muhammed Ali Toruntay

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey neutralized six PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

The Turkish air-backed operations neutralized two terrorists in the Gara region, the ministry said on Twitter.

It added that the Turkish army was “resolute” in eliminating the terror threat posed by the PKK, whose terrorists often take shelter in northern Iraq to plan cross-border terrorist attacks in Turkey.

The ministry said later that four other terrorists were neutralized in the Haftanin region in air operations.

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

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 nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas and Burak Dag