Turkey neutralizes 18 YPG/PKK terrorists in N. Syria

By Havva Kara Aydin

ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish army "neutralized" 18 YPG/PKK terrorists attempting to infiltrate northern Syrian territories, the National Defense Ministry said on Monday.

“Our heroic commandos neutralized 18 PKK/YPG terrorists trying to infiltrate the southern area of the [Operation] Peace Spring region,” said the ministry on Twitter.

Turkish authorities generally use the word "neutralized" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful operations across its border into northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor, enable peaceful settlement by locals, and protect civilians from attacks: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring, which started earlier this month.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. 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.