7 Syrian National troops martyred in anti-terror op

By Omer Koparan and Adham Kako

RAS AL-AYN / TAL ABYAD, Syria (AA) - Seven Syrian National Army (SNA) soldiers supporting Turkey’s anti-terrorist operation in northern Syria have been martyred and 51 wounded over the last two days, according to sources on the ground in the area of operations.

Clashes between PKK/YPG terrorists and SNA troops in Operation Peace Spring are continuing in the towns of Ras al-Ayn and Tal Abyad, east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria.

Since Oct. 9, the beginning of the operation, a total of 23 SNA soldiers have been martyred and 108 injured.

So far two district centers, a town, and dozens of village have been liberated from PKK/YPG terrorists.

Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

Ankara wants to clear northern Syria east of the Euphrates River of the terrorist PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the PYD/YPG.

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.

*Writing by Fahri Aksut