UPDATES WITH 3 MORE PKK TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED; CHANGES HEADLINE; EDITS THROUGHOUT
By Faruk Zorlu and Sena Guler
ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish airstrikes has neutralized nine PKK terrorists in the last two days in northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
On Twitter, the ministry said the anti-terror operations neutralized the terrorists in the Hakurk and Metina regions, which were carried out in coordination with Turkey’s ongoing anti-terror offensive Operation Claw.
Two of the terrorists were neutralized earlier in the day, and three others in the recent hours, according to the ministry.
Four PKK members were also hit by Turkish fighter jets on Monday.
Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.
Ammunition depots and shelters used by the terror group were also destroyed in the airstrikes.
On May 27, Turkey launched Operation Claw against the PKK in the Hakurk region of northern Iraq. The ongoing offensive has neutralized 58 so far.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.