41 militants 'neutralized' last week: Turkish army

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

A total of 41 PKK militants were "neutralized" by the Turkish military in eastern and southeastern provinces of Tunceli, Siirt, Diyarbakır and Şırnak, and northern Iraq as part of counter-terror operations held on April 20-27. 

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 issued on April 28, the Turkish Armed Forces said 28 targets, shelters, hideouts, and weapons pits of terrorists were destroyed and arms and ammunition were seized during the operations. 

Thirteen militants were "neutralized" in Turkey and 28 across the border. One of them was a high-ranking PKK member. 

So far, 4,305 militants have been "neutralized" since the start of Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria, the statement added. 

Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 this year to clear the YPG and ISIL from Afrin.