ANKARA 

Turkish airstrikes neutralized eight PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"Eight more PKK terrorists detected through reconnaissance and surveillance activities in Zap and Haftanin regions were neutralized with instant aerial operations," the ministry said on Twitter.

The ministry said the Turkish army was “determined” to eliminate the terror threat posed by the PKK.

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 the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.