UPDATES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE; ADDS STATEMENT OF INTERIOR MINISTER; EDITS THROUGHOUT
By Ismet Karakas and Jeyhun Aliyev
ANKARA (AA) – At least 10 terrorists were "neutralized" as part of anti-terror Operation Eren-13 in southeastern Turkey, the country’s interior minister said on Monday.
With three terrorists “neutralized” by gendarmerie forces in the Yassidag countryside of Siirt province's Eruh district, the total number of terrorists neutralized Monday reached 10, Suleyman Soylu said on Twitter.
He earlier announced that five terrorists were neutralized by the provincial gendarmerie teams near Mt. Judi in Sirnak province as part of the ongoing operation.
Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in statements to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.
Two more terrorists were neutralized in the Kulp district of Diyarbakir, the statement said.
Though the terrorists' affiliation was not specified, the PKK terror group has been active in eastern and southeastern Turkey.
Operation Eren, named after Eren Bulbul, a 15-year-old martyred by the terrorist PKK on Aug. 11, 2017, began in January with the aim of completely eliminating terrorism in the country.
In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.
*Additional writing by Dilan Pamuk
