ANKARA

Turkey "neutralized" two PKK terrorists in an air operation in northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

The operation was carried out in the Zap region, across Turkey's border, where the terrorists were planning an armed attack, according to a ministry statement.

Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralized" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

*Writing by Havva Kara Aydin