Turkey ‘neutralizes’ 5 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria

By Zehra Nur Duz

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces on Sunday “neutralized” five YPG/PKK terrorists who were preparing to target areas in northern Syria that had been cleared of terror elements as part of Turkey's Operation Peace Spring in 2019.

In a statement, the National Defense Ministry said the terrorists were neutralized by Turkish commando units.

“We will not allow the PKK/YPG terrorist organization to disrupt the atmosphere of peace and security in the (Operation) Peace Spring region,” it noted.

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 the 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.