Turkey 'neutralizes' 3 YPG/PKK terrorists in N.Syria

By Firdevs Bulut Kartal

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey on Tuesday "neutralized" three terrorists in northern Syria, near Turkey's southern border, the National Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

"We will not allow peace and security to be disturbed in the Operation Peace Spring region. Our heroic commandos successfully neutralized three YPG/PKK terrorists who were plotting an attack," said the ministry on Twitter.

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.