UPDATE 2 - Turkey 'neutralizes' 9 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq

UPDATES WITH TERRORISTS ARRESTED IN SEVERAL PROVINCES

By Yilmaz Kazandioglu, Selman Tur and Necat Hazar

HAKKARI, Turkey (AA) - Nine PKK terrorists have been “neutralized” in northern Iraq, according to a security source on Thursday.

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

The terrorists were neutralized in northern Iraq’s Hakurk region while they were reportedly plotting to carry out an attack on Turkish military bases, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

The terrorists were spotted by military drones in Yuksekova in southeastern Hakkari province, the source added.

Turkish Armed Forces have neutralized 50 terrorists in northern Iraq since March 10.

Separately, a PKK terrorist was killed during a counter-terrorism operation in southeastern Batman province.

In southern Mersin province, security forces arrested a female terrorist, Saadet A., following an intelligence tip-off.

In another counter-terrorism operation in eastern Tunceli province, five suspects were arrested.

Nine terror suspects were also arrested in eastern Van province, police said in a statement.

The suspects had been involved in a series of terror incidents such as damaging surveillance cameras in Ercis district, the statement added.

In northwestern Bursa province, one suspect, who had already been searched by the police, was arrested for being a member of PKK/KCK terror group.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015.