'Number of terrorists in Turkey drops down to 445'

ANKARA

The number of terrorists in Turkey is falling rapidly and terrorism will soon be wiped out from the country, the Turkish interior minister said on Tuesday.

In a tweet, Suleyman Soylu said only 445 terrorists have remained in Turkey after four more were neutralized on Tuesday.

“Soon, terror will no longer be the fate of this country,” the minister said.

His remarks came after Turkish security forces neutralized four YPG/PKK terrorists in the southeastern Sirnak and eastern Elazig provinces.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralize" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

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 over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

* Writing by Merve Aydogan