UPDATE-Turkey neutralizes 59 PKK terrorists in past 3 weeks

</p> <p>UPDATES WITH STATEMENT ON F-35 PROCUREMENT</p> <p>By Ahmet Sertan Usul</p> <p>ANKARA (AA) – The Turkish army neutralized 59 PKK terrorists over the last three weeks, the Defense Ministry said on Thursday.</p> <p>The terrorists were neutralized in operations held in Turkey and northern Iraq since March 12, Lt. Cmdr. Nadide Sebnem Aktop, the ministry spokeswoman, told a press briefing.</p> <p>Turkish authorities often use the word &quot;neutralize&quot; in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.</p> <p>Two of the terrorists were wanted by Turkish authorities, she added.</p> <p>Also, a large cache of ammunition was seized and 36 handmade explosives were defused.</p> <p>She added that 103 weapon emplacements, shelters, caves and depots were destroyed by the army.</p> <p>On Turkey’s F-35 fighter jet procurement, Aktop said coordination between Turkey and the U.S. over the delivery of jets and the pilot training continues, citing military sources.</p> <p>&quot;Turkey is one of the partners of the program and it fulfills all the responsibilities under the program,&quot; Aktop quoted military sources as saying.</p> <p>In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU — has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including many women and children.</p> <p> </p> <p>*Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur and Can Erozden