3 Turkish soldiers killed in clashes with PKK in N. Iraq

Three soldiers were killed, and four others were injured in clashes with militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq, the Turkish defense ministry said Friday, reported Xinhua.

The clashes took place after the PKK attacked the Turkish security forces in the region, and the Turkish military responded by airstrikes, the ministry said in a statement.

At least four PKK militants were "neutralized" in these operations, it added.

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

The Turkish forces frequently carry out ground operations, airstrikes and artillery bombardments against the group's positions in northern Iraq, especially the Qandil Mountains, the main base of the PKK.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States and the European Union, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for more than three decades.