SIRNAK, Turkey

At least five PKK terrorists were killed in a fresh wave of anti-terrorist operations in Turkey’s southeastern Sirnak province Monday, Turkish security sources said.

The total number of PKK terrorists killed in Sirnak has now risen to 33 since latest operations began there, security sources added.

During the operation, security forces also detonated 48 improvised explosive devices.

A joint counter-terrorism operation by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and police forces aims to capture PKK terrorists, dispose of planted explosives, fill in ditches, and remove barricades following the declaration of a curfew on March 14.

The U.S. said Turkey's ongoing operations against PKK inside its own borders was "beyond dispute" as the country had the right to defend its citizens from a "real threat" from terrorism. 

The PKK -- also listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015.

Since then, more than 300 members of Turkish security forces have been martyred, and thousands of PKK terrorists have been killed in operations across Turkey and northern Iraq.