Terrorist YPG/PKK used Syrian school as hideout: Turkey

By Ali Murat Alhas

ANKARA (AA) – Using a civilian building as its hideout, the terrorist YPG/PKK in northern Syria used a school in northern Syria as its headquarters, Turkey’s National Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

“It has been determined that PKK/YPG terrorists used the school in the village of Nukra in Ras al-Ayn as a headquarters and caused extensive damage there,” the ministry said on Twitter.

The statement added that the terrorist group also used churches, hospitals, and other schools in area of Turkey’s anti-terrorist operation as ammunition depots.

Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists 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.

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 deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.