Airstrikes ‘neutralize’ 17 PKK militants in eastern Turkey in two days

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Seventeen PKK militants were “neutralized” in airstrikes in eastern Turkey on May 22 and May 23, the authorities have announced. 

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

Two militants were “neutralized” on May 23 in a drone strike in the eastern Siirt province’s Mount Tandır region, said a security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

The Interior Ministry stated on May 22 that 15 PKK militants were “neutralized” in domestic counter-terrorism operations, with 12 in the eastern province of Kars and three in Siirt.

The militants in Kars were said to have been identified as part of an air operation backed by F-16 fighter jets in the Çemçe-Madur regions.