Turkey ‘neutralizes’ 3 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria
Terrorists attempted to infiltrate Turkey’s cross-border anti-terror operation areas, says National Defense Ministry
Turkish security forces have “neutralized” three YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, the country's National Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
The terrorists were trying to infiltrate the area of Turkey's cross-border anti-terror operations -- Peace Spring and Euphrates Shield -- to disrupt peace and security in the region, the ministry said on Twitter. They also opened harassing fire.
Turkish authorities use the word “neutralized” to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.
Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.