ANKARA, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkish airstrikes killed four members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq, Turkey's Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
The PKK members were "neutralized" in the Hakurk and Metina regions in an air-backed operation, after they were identified during reconnaissance and surveillance operations in the area, the ministry said on Twitter.
Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in statements to imply the "terrorists" who surrendered or were killed or captured.
Turkish security forces have long been conducting operations against the PKK in southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq where the group has hideouts.
The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the EU, launched a 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish government, claiming the lives of more than 40,000 people. Enditem
