3 terrorists arrested in Syria's Al-Bab, Jarablus

By Mehmet Akif Parlak

GAZIANTEP, Turkey (AA) - At least three terrorists in Syria’s northwestern Al-Bab and Jarablus regions were arrested on Tuesday for their suspected links to the YPG/PKK and Daesh/ISIS terror groups, Turkey’s Gaziantep Governorate said.

In the [Operation] Euphrates Shield region, local law enforcement officers in Al-Bab and Jarablus regions receive consultancy services from Gaziantep Governorate, the governorate said in a statement.

The terrorists were identified as G.H., who was active with Daesh/ISIS in Manbij district between 2014-2016 and later operated for YPG/PKK after 2016; M.H., who was affiliated with YPG/PKK terrorist group, and M.E.M., who was active with Daesh.

The statement said that terrorists were caught by local security forces in different neighborhood of Al-Bab and Jarablus regions.

Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and to 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 EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is PKK's Syrian offshoot.

In 2013, Turkey became one of the first countries to declare Daesh/ISIS a terrorist group.

The country has since been attacked by Daesh/ISIS terrorists multiple times, with at least 10 suicide bombings, seven bomb attacks and four armed attacks, killing 315 people and injuring hundreds more.

In response, Turkey launched anti-terror operations at home and abroad to prevent further attacks.