At least 3 PKK terrorists killed in N. Iraq

ANKARA

At least three PKK terrorists were killed Monday in counter-terrorism operations in northern Iraq, Turkish military said.

According to a statement issued by the Turkish General Staff, the Turkish Air Force carried out airstrikes in Avasin-Basyan areas in northern Iraq, killing at least three PKK terrorists, who were planning attacks.

Terrorist hideouts and Dochka (anti-aircraft gun) positions were also destroyed in the airstrikes, the statement said.

More than 1,200 people, including security personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its decades-long armed campaign in July 2015.

According to the military, almost 10,000 terrorists have been neutralized in air and land operations since then. More than 7,000 of these terrorists were killed while the rest were wounded, captured or surrendered.

Reporting by Sarp Ozer; Writing by Sibel Ugurlu