ANKARA

Turkish security forces "neutralized" five PKK terrorists as part of the ongoing Operation Claw-Tiger in northern Iraq, the country's National Defense Ministry said Thursday.

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

Saying the operation was continuing successfully, the ministry said on Twitter that the terrorists were neutralized by an air operation in northern Iraq's Haftanin region.

"Our operations are to continue until the very last terrorist is neutralized," it added.

Turkey's operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle were launched in June to ensure the safety of the Turkish people and borders by neutralizing the threat of PKK and other terrorist groups that often use northern Iraq to plan cross-border attacks.

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 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.