By Ahmet Salih Alacaci

ANKARA

Turkish security forces on Sunday neutralized four PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, the military said in a statement.

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

The military said on its official Twitter account that the terrorists, who were preparing to attack Turkish bases, were neutralized via airstrikes in northern Iraq’s Hakurk region.

In its more than 30-year terror 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 some 40,000 people, including women and children.