Turkish military kills 9 PKK terrorists in Iraq, Turkey

HAKKARI, Turkey

Turkish military on Monday carried out airstrikes against the PKK terror group inside and outside the country, killing at least 9 terrorists, according to an official military statement.

The airstrikes in northern Iraq's Zap and Gara regions killed two PKK terrorists and destroyed their weapon pits and three caves used as shelters, the statement said.

At least seven PKK terrorists were also killed in southeastern Turkey during an ongoing counter-terrorism operation, a military source said.

Five terrorists were killed by a drone in Mt. Guven area of Hakkari province's Cukurca district on the third day of the operation, the source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Earlier in the same operation 11 terrorists were killed, the source added.

Later on Monday, two other terrorists were also "neutralized" around Pirinceken Village in Cukurca district, according to regional governor's office.

One of them was reportedly carrying rockets, the office added.

More than 1,200 people, including security force personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU -- resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July 2015.