Turkey 'neutralizes' 4 YPG/PKK terrorists in N. Syria

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces "neutralized" four YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, near Turkey's southern border, the National Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

"4 YPG/PKK terrorists, who were attempting to infiltrate into the Operation Peace Spring zone were successfully neutralized by our heroic commandos,” the ministry said 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 of 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.