Turkish soldier martyred by accident in N. Syria

By Zehra Nur Duz

ANKARA - A Turkish soldier was martyred Sunday in a military vehicle accident in northern Syria, according to the Turkish National Defense Ministry.

The soldier was injured Saturdayin an area in northern Syria where Turkey launched an anti-terror operation. He could not be saved despite medical efforts, the ministry said in a statement.

Underlining the accident deeply saddened all Turks, the ministry offered condolences to the martyr’s family and to the Turkish nation.

Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring on Oct. 9 to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria, east of the Euphrates River to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

Ankara reached two separate deals with the U.S. and Russia to pause the operation to allow YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from a planned safe zone, where Turkey wants to repatriate the refugees.

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