Wanted terrorist 'neutralized' in southeastern Türkiye: Interior minister

ISTANBUL

Turkish security forces "neutralized" two terrorists in the southeastern province of Mardin, the country's interior minister said Monday.

Ali Yerlikaya said that during an operation the security forces tracked the two terrorists who blew themselves up in a vehicle.

Orhan Elma, codenamed Rodi Hayri, was in the red category of Türkiye's wanted list, Yerlikaya said, adding efforts to identify the second terrorist are ongoing.

The wanted list is divided into five color-coded categories, with red as the most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange, and gray.

Yerlikaya added that Elma was involved in orchestrating four separate terror attacks, resulting in the loss of five lives and injuries to 12 others.

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

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU — has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.