Turkish gendarmes “neutralized” three armed YPG/PKK terrorists in the country’s east and southeast, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.

According to a ministry statement, Turkish gendarmes neutralized two armed YPG/PKK terrorists during an air-assisted operation in the rural area of eastern Mus province.

The ministry said an armed terrorist was also “neutralized” during an anti-terror operation in the rural area of southeastern Diyarbakir province.

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

According to the Interior Ministry’s statement, the internal security operations that were launched by the Provincial Gendarmerie Commands in Mus and Diyarbakir are still in progress in both regions.

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 many women, children, and infants.

* Writing by Fahri Aksut