ANKARA 

Turkish security forces "neutralized" a total of seven PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Iraq and Syria, near the Turkish border, the National Defense Ministry said on Friday.

Three of the terrorists were "neutralized" in the Operation Claw-Lock zone of northern Iraq, while the remaining four were in the Operation Euphrates Shield zone in northern Syria, said a ministry statement.

The terrorist PKK is known for using northern Iraq, near the Turkish border, as a hideout to plot terror attacks and for launching attacks both on nearby Türkiye and locals in northern Syria.

Since 2016, Ankara has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

Turkish authorities use the term “neutralize” to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.​​​​​​​

In its nearly 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU — has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.