ANKARA 

Turkish security forces “neutralized” at least four PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, the country's National Defense Ministry said on Friday.

The terrorists were “neutralized” in an air-backed operation in the Haftanin, Avashin and Zap regions after they were detected through reconnaissance and surveillance activities, the ministry said on Twitter.

The country’s anti-terror operations continue without letup, the statement added.

Turkish authorities use the term "neutralized" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

PKK terrorists often take shelter in northern Iraq to plan cross-border terrorist attacks in Turkey.

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