A total of 27 PKK terrorists were killed in airstrikes carried out by Turkish military in northern Iraq's Qandil Mountains on Wednesday, Turkish General Staff announced Friday.

In a brief statement, the military said the operation was launched between 2.30 p.m. (1130 GMT) and 3.15 p.m. (1215 GMT) local time.

Qandil serves as headquarters for the PKK terror group in northern Iraq.

Turkish General Staff added the operation was launched after intelligence was received of a PKK gathering.

The airstrikes also destroyed three shelters.

More than 1,200 people, including security force 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-old armed campaign in July 2015.