Turkey 'neutralizes' 2 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey "neutralized" at least two PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

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

Terrorists were targeted in the areas of Operation Pence-Simsek and Operation Pence-Kaplan, according to the ministry.

Turkey continues its fight against terrorists resolutely, it added.

The PKK terror group often hides out in northern Iraq, just across Turkey's southern border, to plot terror attacks in Turkey.

The Pence operations are a series of offensives Turkey has carried out since 2019 against terror groups in northern Iraq, particularly the PKK.

Operations Pence-Kaplan and Pence-Kartal were initiated in June last year in Iraq's Haftanin, Sinjar and Zap regions, while Pence-Simsek and Pence-Yildirim were launched this April in Metina and Avasin-Basyan regions.

In its more than 35-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 at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.