Turkish forces “neutralised” eight militants from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) during an ongoing cross-border operation in northern Iraq, The Turkish Defence Ministry on Saturday

Axar.az reports citing foreign media that the operation targeted PKK forces in northern Iraq’s Haftanin region, the ministry said.

The ministry commonly uses the term “neutralised” to refer to those killed, but it can also refer to those wounded or captured.

Last month, Turkey launched Operation Claw-Tiger targeting the PKK in northern Iraq, where the outlawed group’s headquarters is located.

The PKK considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, has waged an insurgency for autonomy in Turkey’s largely Kurdish southeast since 1984.