Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the country's intelligence organization has killed the suspected leader of the Islamic State militant group.

Erdogan told local media on Sunday that Abu Hussein al-Qurashi had been "neutralized" in an operation carried out in Syria on Saturday. He added Turkey will continue its fight against terrorist organizations.

Erdogan made the announcement in the run-up to the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for May 14. Observers say his government is trying to rally support by highlighting the result of its anti-terrorism measures.

A Kurdish armed group, which Turkey lists as a terror organization, has a base in neighboring Syria. Civilians were killed in an attack in Turkey last November.