Turkey neutralizes 4 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq

Turkish counterterrorism operation neutralized four PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

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

In a statement, the ministry said the Turkish Armed Forces carried out an air operation in northern Iraq's Metina region.

Turkish jets also targeted shelters, weapon positions and arms depots.

The terrorists were preparing for attacks on Turkish military bases, it 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 some 40,000 people, including women and children.

More than 1,200 people, including security force personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since the PKK resumed its decades-old acts of terror in July 2015.