ISTANBUL

Turkish security forces "neutralized" six PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

The terrorists were "neutralized" in an air operation in the Hakurk region, it wrote on X.

"Turkish Armed Forces continue to destroy terrorist lairs in northern Iraq," it said."Our fight against terrorism will continue effectively and decisively."

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

In its nearly 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.