VAN, Turkey

Two accused female terrorists were arrested Monday in a Turkish operation against the terrorist group YPG/PKK in northern Iraq.

The Security Directorate in Turkey’s eastern Van province said in a statement that the terrorists G.M., codenamed Sema Farkin, and L.A., codenamed Beritan Avesta, were arrested and brought to Turkey from Iraq’s Qandil region, where the terrorist YPG/PKK is headquartered.

The operation was carried out in cooperation with local officers of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization, it added.

PKK terrorists often use northern Iraq as a base to plan cross-border terrorist attacks on Turkey.

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 women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.

*Writing by Sena Guler