ANKARA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Turkish forces on Friday evening carried out airstrikes against 16 targets of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in cross-border operations in northern Iraq, Türkiye's Defense Ministry said.

In a statement, the ministry said the operations were carried out in the Gara, Metina, Hakurk and Qandil regions to prevent PKK members from infiltrating Türkiye to stage attacks.

The airstrikes hit caves, bunkers, shelters, and warehouses which were believed to be housing PKK ringleaders, it said.

A large number of "terrorists" were "neutralized" in the operations, during which Turkish-made munitions were used, it added.

Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralize" in their statements to imply that the alleged "terrorists" have either surrendered, been killed, or been captured.

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

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

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