ANKARA

Five terrorists have been neutralized in Mus, eastern Turkey, the Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

The terrorists were neutralized in an air-backed operation by gendarmerie command special forces, said the ministry in a statement.

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

The statement did not specify the terrorists' affiliation, but the terrorist YPG/PKK has traditionally been active in eastern Turkey.

The operations are ongoing, the statement added.

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. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian branch.

* Writing by Ali Murat Alhas