4 terrorists neutralized in southeastern Turkey

ANKARA

Turkish army neutralized two terrorists during anti-terror operations in southeastern Turkey, the country's armed forces said Friday.

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

In a post on its official Twitter account, Turkish Armed Forces said an air-supported operation was conducted against a separatist terrorist organization (referring to the PKK) in southeastern Hakkari's Semdinli rural region; two armed terrorists were killed, according to initial findings.

Separately, security sources speaking on the condition of anonymity said gendarmerie forces neutralized two PKK terrorists in southeastern Diyarbakir's Lice rural region on Friday.

In its more than 30-year terrorist campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.

Reporting by Ahmet Sertan Usul and Hasan Namli:Writing by Merve Aydogan