6 PKK militants neutralized in southeastern Turkey

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Six outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants have been neutralized in anti-terror operations in southeastern Turkey’s Hakkari, Diyarbakır and Şanlıurfa provinces, according to the military and Interior Ministry on Aug. 3.

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

In a statement, the Interior Ministry said two militants in Şanlıurfa’s Suruç district surrendered to security units.

Turkish army neutralized two militants during anti-terror operations in southeastern Hakkari province, the armed forces said.

In a post on its official Twitter account, Turkish Armed Forces said an air-supported operation was conducted against a separatist terrorist organization (referring to the PKK) in southeastern Hakkari’s Şemdinli rural region; two armed militants were killed, according to initial findings.

Separately, security sources speaking on the condition of anonymity said gendarmerie forces neutralized two PKK militants in southeastern Diyarbakır’s Lice rural region on Aug. 3.

Operations against PKK militants have been carried out regularly since July 2015, when a peace process between Ankara and the PKK broke down. 

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.