ANKARA 

Turkish security forces neutralized five PKK terrorists in northern Iraq's Hakurk region as part of Operation Claw, Turkish Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

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

So far 27 terrorists have been neutralized in Hakurk region since the Turkish Armed Forces launched Operation Claw against the PKK terror group on Monday, the ministry said in a statement.

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.