Turkey ‘neutralizes’ 5 YPG/PKK terrorists in N.Syria

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces neutralized at least five more YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, Turkey’s National Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

The terrorists were attempting to attack to disrupt peace in the Operation Peace Spring region and were neutralized by fire support vehicles, the ministry said on Twitter, also sharing footage of the action.

All measures will continue to be taken to maintain peace in the region, the ministry added.

Turkish authorities 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 anti-terror operations in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and to enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

Terrorist groups, particularly the YPG/PKK, try to infiltrate and mount attacks in these areas to disturb the peace and stability restored by Turkey.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.