Turkey destroys YPG/PKK-planted explosives in N. Syria

By Yildiz Nevin Gundogmus

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces destroyed explosives and hand grenades planted on roadsides by YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said on Monday.

The explosives were seized in an area falling inside of Operation Peace Spring, Turkey’s cross-border anti-terror offensive in Syria, the ministry said on Twitter.

"Continuing their security search and checks, our commandoes have found explosives and hand grenades planted on roadsides by PKK/YPG targeting innocent civilians, and destroyed them," said a statement by the Turkish Defense Ministry.

The Defense Ministry also shared images of explosives seized and their detonation.

Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terrorist operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable peaceful settlement by locals: 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 the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.