Turkey hits back at YPG/PKK terror fire along border

By Duygu Yener

ANKARA (AA) – Amid its anti-terrorist operation in northern Syria, Turkey hit back Friday at terrorist harassment fire at its border posts, neutralizing 16 terrorists, according to the National Defense Ministry.

Turkish ground forces responded to fire by the terrorist YPG/PKK targeting 25 of the country’s border posts as of 7.00 a.m. local time (0400GMT), said a ministry statement.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.

Turkey on Wednesday launched Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria to secure its borders by eliminating terrorists there and to ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees and Syria’s territorial integrity.

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