2 terrorists 'neutralized' in southeastern Turkey

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - Security forces neutralized two terrorists in southeastern Turkey, authorities announced Thursday.

The Interior Ministry said on Twitter that gendarmerie forces in Siirt province carried out a counter-terror operation in rural areas of Sirvan district.

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

The operation is still underway, the ministry added.

Although the statement did not mention any specific terrorist group, Turkish forces have been conducting operations against the YPG/PKK terrorist organization in the region for a long time.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.