UPDATE - Turkey neutralizes 5 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq

UPDATES WITH A SEPARATE OPERATION BY MIT IN NORTHERN IRAQ; CHANGES HEADLINE, LEDE; ADDS DETAILS

By Dilara Hamit and Baris Gundogan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces “neutralized” at least five PKK terrorists in northern Iraq on Thursday.

The National Defense Ministry said on Twitter that three terrorists were targeted by the Turkish Armed Forces in Gara and Metina regions as part of Operation Pence-Simsek.

Turkish authorities use the word “neutralize” to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

The tweet also included a video footage of the operation.

Separately, the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) neutralized two terrorists in Gara region.

The operation was conducted against the structure of so-called special forces of the terror group.

As many as 10 PKK terrorists had been neutralized in two separate operations conducted with the cooperation of Turkish Armed Forces and MIT late June.

The PKK terrorist group often uses bases in northern Iraq, just across Turkey's southern border, to hide and plot terrorist attacks in Turkey.

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.

*Writing by Dilan Pamuk in Ankara