Turkey 'neutralizes' 3 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria

By Ali Kemal Akan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces "neutralized" three YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the ministry said the terrorists were “neutralized” as they opened fire and attempted to infiltrate the Operation Peace Spring zone, where Turkey carried out a cross-border anti-terror operation in 2019.

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

Since 2016, Ankara has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

In its more than 35-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 at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.