Turkish forces neutralise 12 terrorists in Iraq

At least 12 Kurdistan Workers' Party (PYD/PKK) terrorists have been neutralised by the Turkish forces in northern Iraq.

Anadolu Agency quoted Turkish General Staff on Wednesday as saying in a statement that the terrorists who were plotting an attack, were neutralised in Hakurk region on Tuesday.

Here, 'neutralised' implies the terrorists either surrendered or were killed or captured.

The Turkish military is also involved in an operation called 'Olive Branch', which was launched on January 20 to clear PKK and IS terrorists from Afrin in northwestern Syria.

Under operation 'Olive Branch' 3,213 terrorists have been neutralised till now.

As per the military statement, 42 soldiers were killed and 202 were wounded, out of which 117 soldiers returned to their duties after medical treatment.

The PKK, which is based in Turkey, Iraq and parts of Syria, has been involved in an armed conflict with Turkey for the past 30 years. Its aim is to achieve the objective of creating an independent Kurdish state.