Turkish forces neutralize 3 PKK terrorists in Turkey's Hatay province

Turkish security forces have neutralized at least three terrorists in an air-backed operation in southern Turkey, the Interior Ministry said Saturday.

The terrorists were neutralized as part of Operation Yıldırım-5 in rural areas of Hatay province's Mt. Amanos, it said in a statement.

Gendarmerie forces seized three M-16 rifles and ammunition as part of the ongoing operation, it added.

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

The affiliation of the terrorists was not expressly given, but the terrorist PKK has been active in the region.

Turkey has launched a series of security operations to neutralize terrorists believed to be sheltering in the country's eastern and southeastern regions.

Yıldırım-1 Cudi was launched in the southeastern province of Şırnak on July 14, Yıldırım-2 Cilo in southeastern Hakkari province on July 20, Yıldırım-3 Mt. Ağrı in the eastern provinces of Ağrı, Iğdır and Kars on July 27, Yıldırım-4 in the eastern province of Tunceli on July 29, Yıldırım-5 in the southern province of Hatay on Aug. 12 and Yıldırım-6 in the eastern Bingöl province on Aug. 19.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.