Turkey neutralizes 16 terrorists in military operation

Turkish security forces neutralized 16 terrorists within the scope of Operation Kıran-3, according to a statement released by the Interior Ministry on Wednesday.

Two of the terrorists were on the ministry's gray wanted list.

The wanted list is divided into five color-coded categories, with red as the most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange and gray.

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

Turkey has long been conducting operations against the PKK terror group 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 some 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.