UPDATE - Turkish Air Force kills 12 PKK terrorists

UPDATES WITH FRESH COUNTER-TERROR OPERATION

By Sarp Ozer, Nevzat Tas

HAKKARI, Turkey (AA) - Turkish Air Force carried out counter-terrorism operation in the country's southeastern provinces and northern Iraq during the past two days, killing at least 12 PKK terrorists, officials said.

According to Hakkari’s Governor Office, four PKK terrorists were killed as the air force conducted airstrikes on Thursday in southeastern province.

It said the terrorists were detected by unmanned air vehicle in the region between Turkey’s border district of Yuksekova and Mount Spi area of northern Iraq.

Earlier, Turkish Air Force conducted an operation in northern Iraq and killed six PKK terrorists.

According to Turkish General Staff, the air force attacked the PKK in the Avasin-Basyan region as they prepared to attack Turkish border posts.

An anti-aircraft weapon emplacement was destroyed in the strike, it said in a statement.

On late Wednesday, two PKK terrorists were killed in the southeastern Sirnak and Diyarbakir provinces.

In a separate operation, the terrorists were killed and one bunker/weapons pit was destroyed in Ikiyakalar in the Sirnak province and the Diyarbakir province's Lice district.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015. Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of around 1,200 people including women and children.