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

UPDATES WITH ONE TERRORIST KILLED IN TURKEY'S BATMAN PROVINCE

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 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 Turkey's Batman province.

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

Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including a number of women and children.