Turkey 'neutralizes' 163 PKK terrorists in N. Iraq

ANKARA

A total of 163 PKK terrorists were “neutralized” since Turkey has launched Operation Claw in northern Iraq, according to the country’s National Defense Ministry on Monday.

A total of 90 terrorists were “neutralized” as part of the Operation Claw 1-2, and 73 terrorists in Operation Claw 3, Lt. Cmdr. Nadide Sebnem Aktop, ministry spokeswoman, told reporters in the capital Ankara.

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

Aktop said that 320 caves and 266 mines and hand made explosives were destroyed during Operation Claw 1-2, and 53 caves and 78 mines in Operation Claw 3.

Aktop added that 11 ammunition, which would be used by the terrorists for production of handmade explosives, were detected and destroyed in Tal Abyad.

She also said that a total of 683 rocket launchers and 93 cases of handmade explosives were seized in a building in Ras al-Ayn.

On May 27, Turkey launched Operation Claw against the PKK in the Hakurk region of northern Iraq, followed by its second and third phases in July and late August.

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 deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

* Writing by Gozde Bayar