A total of nine PKK terrorists have been killed in airstrikes in northern Iraq's Zap region, the Turkish Armed Forces said in a statementTuesday.

The airstrikes were launched upon receiving intelligence information that PKK terrorists were preparing an attack, and targeted a shelter and two weapon pits belonging to the terrorist organization.

Founded in 1978, the PKK has waged a decades long bloody campaign against Turkey.

The PKK - listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU - resumed its armed campaign in July 2015 after a brief reconciliation period.

Since then, the PKK has been responsible for the deaths of some 1,200 security personnel and civilians, including women and children, while more than 4,000 security personnel and over 2,000 civilians have been injured.