At least four terrorists who were plotting terror attacks were "neutralized" in Turkey's eastern and southeastern provinces, local authorities and security sources 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.
In a statement by the governor’s office of eastern Tunceli province, two terrorists were neutralized in counter-terrorism operation held in the rural areas of Mazgirt district by provincial gendarmerie forces.
The statement by the governor’s office did not specify the terror groups involved but Turkey is embroiled in a long-running struggle against the PKK terror group in the area.
Separately, two PKK terrorists were also "neutralized" in southeastern Sirnak province, said security sources who asked to remain anonymous due to media restrictions.
Out of the two terrorists, one was captured alive while the other was killed during the operation. The captured terrorist was identified to be an Iranian national and responsible of terrorist group's Farasin region.
Operations in the region are ongoing, the sources said.
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 death of some 40,000 people.
Turkish warplanes have destroyed several PKK terror targets in northern Iraq as part of an anti-terror operation, the military said on Thursday.In a post on Twitter, the Turkish General Staff said the airstrikes were conducted in Hakurk, Avasin-Basyan, Sinath-Haftanin, Metina and Qandil regions of northern Iraq on Wednesday.Weapon emplacements and shelters used by terrorists were destroyed during the operation, the statement added.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 40,000 people, including women and children.Turkey remands two more YPG/PKK terrorists in SyriaPKK terror group trades drugs for arms: report
Turkish jets destroy PKK terror targets in N. Iraq