UPDATES WITH STATEMENT BY TURKISH GENERAL STAFF
By Kemal Karadag
ANKARA (AA) – Turkish airstrikes “neutralized” nine terrorists in the country’s southeastern Sirnak and Siirt provinces and northern Iraq’s Qandil region, the military said on Thursday.
Turkish authorities often use the word “neutralized ” in their statements to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.
Turkish General Staff did not specify the terror groups involved but Turkey is embroiled in a long-running struggle against PKK terror group in the area.
According to the statement, the operations were conducted between July 17-19 in Uludere district of Sirnak, Eruh district of Siirt and hilly Qandil region of northern Iraq.
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.
