151 SNA troops martyred during Turkey’s Syria operation

By Adham Kako

RAS AL-AYN, Syria / ANKARA (AA) – At least 151 soldiers of Turkey-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) have been martyred in attacks by YPG/PKK terrorists since Ankara launched a military operation in northern Syria last month.

According to the SNA commanders in the field, a total of 559 SNA soldiers were wounded during Operation Peace Spring.

The Turkish army and SNA continue security operations to uphold peace in the region.

SNA commanders recently downed a drone of YPG/PKK terrorists in Tal Abyad.

After the operation was paused, SNA soldiers have been holding the frontline around the northern Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ayn districts and destroying improvised explosives seized from terrorists.

Last month, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan honored the SNA soldiers, who are fighting against the Syrian regime and alongside Turkish soldiers, saying they are "mujahids who kill fear and death." The term refers to those who fight in the way of God to uphold truth.

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 late last month that "SNA soldiers have always provided a strong contribution" to Turkey's anti-terror operations.

Operation Peace Spring, launched on Oct. 9, 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.

Ankara agreed with Washington on Oct. 17 to pause its operation to allow YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the planned safe zone.

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.