Turkish army 'neutralizes' 124 PKK terrorists in a week

By Baris Gundogan

ANKARA

At least 124 PKK terrorists were "neutralized" in counter-terrorism operations on Turkish soil and northern Iraq over the past week, the Turkish army said on Friday.

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

In a weekly statement, the Turkish General Staff said the army conducted anti-terror operations in Turkey's eastern and southeastern provinces of Sirnak, Siirt, Diyarbakir, Mardin, Hakkari and Mus provinces, as well as in regions of northern Iraq from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1.

A total of 50 shelters, depots and weapon pits of the terrorist organization were destroyed during operations, while security forces also seized weapons, explosives and ammunition, 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 death of some 40,000 people, including those of women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.