A total of five PKK terrorists have been killed in counter-terror operations conducted in northern Iraq's Zap region, the Turkish Armed Forces said Tuesday in a written statement.

The airstrikes were carried out upon receiving intelligence of the terrorists, who were planning an attack on Turkish military posts.

Four caves and communication facilities used by the terrorist organization were also destroyed during the operation, the statement added.

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.