137 SNA martyred fighting YPG in Syria anti-terror op

By Esref Musa and Omer Koparan

TAL ABYAD/RAS AL-AYN, Syria (AA) – A total of 137 soldiers of Syrian National Army (SNA) have been martyred in attacks by YPG/PKK terrorists since the beginning of Turkey’s ongoing military operation in northern Syria on Oct. 9.

According to the SNA commanders in the field, the number of SNA martyrs has reached 137 and the number of wounded soldiers is 508.

The Turkish military and SNA continue security activities to uphold peace in the region.

After the operation was paused, SNA soldiers have been holding the front lines around northern Tal Abyad and Ras Al-Ayn districts and destroying improvised explosive devices recovered from terrorists.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan honored on the SNA soldiers, saying during his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's meeting on Oct. 30 that SNA soldiers are "mujahids who kill fear and death" .

Erdogan said: "They have been martyred with our soldiers while they were trying to save and protect their homes. This solidarity takes us to victory.”

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also told Anadolu Agency on Oct. 23 that "SNA soldiers have always provided a strong contribution" to Turkey's anti-terror operations.

Launched on Oct. 9, the anti-terror Operation Peace Spring aims to eliminate terrorist YPG/PKK elements from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

On Oct. 22, Ankara and Moscow reached a deal under which YPG/PKK terrorists will pull back 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) south of Turkey’s border with Syria within 150 hours, and security forces from Turkey and Russia will mount joint patrols there.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.