Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in statements to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

The terrorists were neutralized in the Gara region in a joint operation of Turkish Armed Forces and the National Intelligence Service (MIT), the ministry said on Twitter.

PKK terrorists often use northern Iraq as a base to plan cross-border terrorist attacks on Turkey.

On May 27, Turkey launched Operation Claw against the PKK in the Hakurk region of northern Iraq.

In mid-July and late August, Turkey launched Operation Claw-2 and Operation Claw-3 in northern Iraq with the same purpose.

The ongoing offensives have neutralized dozens of terrorists so far.

Meanwhile, in eastern Turkey, Turkish Gendarmerie neutralized one terrorist during a security operation, the Interior Ministry said Monday.

The provincial Gendarmerie Command in Tunceli province neutralized the terrorist, the ministry said and added that counter-terrorism operations are continuing in the region.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The terrorist YPG is the PKK's Syrian branch.