64 PKK militants neutralized in northern Iraq in June: Turkish military

ANKARA

A total of 64 outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants were “neutralized” in northern Iraq from June 1-7 during security operations, the Turkish military said on June 8.

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

Turkish jets have been targeting shelters, hideouts, and weapons pits belonging to the PKK as part of anti-terror operations in northern Iraq.

In a statement, the Turkish General Staff said airstrikes against the PKK were carried out in the regions of Zap, Hakurk, and Qandil Mountains in northern Iraq.

Airstrikes on PKK targets in northern Iraq, where the insurgent group has its headquarters in the Qandil Mountains near the Iranian border, have been carried out regularly since July 2015, after the ceasefire between the Turkish state and the group failed.

Qandil Mountains possible operation ground: Ankara

On June 6, Turkish airstrikes killed six members of the PKK and destroyed 16 targets in northern Iraq, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement.

According to the statement, the airstrikes include regions of northern Iraq, such as Hakurk, Gara, Metina, Zap, Qandil, and Avasin Basyan.

In recent days, Turkish officials have suggested that the Qandil region may be the target of a future operation.

The PKK is listed as a terror network by Turkey, the United States, and the EU.