Turkey 'neutralizes' 3 YPG/PKK terrorists

By Muhammed Boztepe

ANKARA (AA) – Turkish security forces “neutralized” at least three YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, near Turkey's southern border, the National Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

In a statement, the ministry said that new attempts by the terrorist group YPG/PKK to infiltrate and attack the area and the peace and security there had been thwarted.

The terrorists were neutralized in the area of Turkey’s Operation Peace Spring, the ministry added.

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

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.