ANKARA, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces have killed 10 members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in an anti-terror operation carried out in northern Iraq, the Turkish defense ministry said on Wednesday.
"Five PKK terrorists were neutralized in Haftanin and Hakurk regions of northern Iraq after they were detected through reconnaissance and surveillance activities," the ministry said on Twitter.
In another operation, conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces in coordination with the Turkish National Intelligence Organization, five more terrorists were "neutralized" in Asos region.
Turkish security forces have been conducting several operations against the PKK in southeastern Turkey and in northern Iraq where the group has hideouts.
The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the EU, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for over 30 years, which has claimed the lives of more than 40,000 people.
Turkish security forces have killed a total of 1,458 members of PKK and Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in cross border operations since Jan. 1 this year, Turkish defense minister said on Monday.
Turkey sees YPG as the Syrian branch of PKK and has launched several cross border operations into neighboring Syria. Enditem
