UPDATE - Turkish forces 'neutralize' 9 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq

UPDATES WITH NUMBER OF NEUTRALIZED TERRORISTS, CHANGES HEAD, DECK, LEDE

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces "neutralized" a total of nine PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, near the Turkish border, authorities said on Saturday.

Seven terrorists were targeted in the Operation Claw-Lock zone, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said on Twitter.

"Our operations will continue until the last terrorist is neutralized," it added.

Two more PKK terrorists were neutralized in an operation carried out by the Turkish National Intelligence Organization in northern Iraq’s Sulaymaniyah and Asos regions, according to security sources.

Turkish authorities use the term "neutralize" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock in April to target PKK terrorist hideouts in Iraq's northern Metina, Zap, and Avasin-Basyan regions, near the Turkish border.

It was initiated after Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle to root out terrorists hiding in northern Iraq and plotting cross-border attacks in Türkiye.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.