At least 14 militants 'neutralized' in N Iraq

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

At least 14 PKK militants were “neutralized” in airstrikes in northern Iraq, the military said on Sept. 29.

In a Twitter post, the Turkish General Staff said the airstrikes “neutralized” six armed PKK militants in Gara region of northern Iraq when they were plotting an attack on Turkish base.

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

Earlier, the military said in a separate statement eight PKK militants were killed in an air operation conducted in Avasin-Basyan and Metina regions.

Separately, one Turkish soldier was killed and four others injured in a hand-made explosive device attack during an ongoing operations in northern Iraq, the army said.

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