36 PKK militants ‘neutralized’ in two days

ANKARA

The Turkish army has neutralized 36 outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants in anti-terror operations in both Turkey and northern Iraq, the military said early June 19.

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

In a statement, the Turkish General Staff said airstrikes on June 17 and June 18 hit PKK targets in northern Iraq's Avasin-Basyan region.

Airstrikes also targeted the PKK in the Silopi area in eastern Turkey's Şırnak province and the Hani area in the southeastern Diyarbakır province, the statement added.

Shelters and weapon emplacements used by PKK militants were also destroyed during the operation, the statement said.

Airstrikes on PKK targets in northern Iraq have been carried out regularly since July 2015, when the PKK resumed its decades-long armed campaign.

In recent days, Turkish officials have suggested that the Mt. Qandil region in northern Iraq near the Iranian border -- where the group has its headquarters -- may be the target of a future operation.

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

Turkish soldier killed in PKK attack

Meanwhile, one Turkish soldier was killed and two others injured early June 19 in a bomb attack by PKK militants in the country's southeastern province of Siirt, said security sources.

The sources, who asked not to be named for security reasons, told Anadolu Agency that the PKK previously planted the bomb on a road and detonated it by remote control while the soldiers were passing.

The attack took place in a rural area in Eruh district.

Three soldiers were taken to Siirt Public Hospital, where one of them succumbed to his injuries. The other two are being treated.