Over 20 terrorists neutralized in Turkey

By Orhan Onur Gemici and Haydar Toprakci

ANKARA/TUNCELI, Turkey

Turkish security forces "neutralized" 23 terrorists in anti-terror operations in the last 24 hours, the country’s Interior Ministry announced Tuesday.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.

According to the statement issued by the Interior Ministry, 11 terrorists were neutralized in southern Hatay province's Amanos Mountains, seven in eastern Tunceli province and three more in the southeastern Mardin province.

Also, two more terrorists were neutralized in the Sason district of southeastern Batman province.

Separately, the General Staff said in a statement four terrorists were neutralized on Monday in Tunceli.

Two other terrorists who escaped from PKK camps in northern Iraq surrendered in southeastern province of Sirnak, the statement added.

According to Tunceli governor's office, gendarmerie security units launched an air-supported operation against PKK terrorists in Pulumur district on Tuesday.

The Tunceli-Pulumur-Erzincan road was closed for traffic due to security reasons.

The anti-terror operations in the region continue with additional units sent to the area.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015.

Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including a number of women and children.