A picture taken on April 19, 2022 shows smoke billowing from behind the mountains of Matin (Jabal Matin) in the town of Chiladze following a Turkish offensive targeting rebels in the northern Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region. (PHOTO / AFP)

ANKARA - The Turkish military carried out two airstrikes against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) targets in northern Iraq, Türkiye's Defense Ministry said Saturday.

The air operations, conducted on Wednesday and Friday, targeted PKK hideouts in the Gara region, destroying a total of 31 targets, and "neutralizing" senior group members, according to a statement from the ministry.

The targets included caves, shelters, and caches used by the PKK members, the ministry said

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The targets included caves, shelters, and caches used by the PKK members, the ministry said.

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

The Turkish security forces often conduct cross-border operations in northern Iraq, a region holding hideouts and bases of PKK militants, from where they carry out attacks against Türkiye.

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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.