Turkish soldier martyred in Op Peace Spring in Syria

By Erdogan Cagatay Zontur

ANKARA (AA) - A Turkish soldier was martyred Friday during the country's Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria, Turkey's defense ministry announced.

According to the statement by the ministry, a Turkish soldier was martyred during clashes with PKK/YPG terrorists in Operation Peace Spring zone.

The ministry offered its condolences to the soldier's family and the Turkish nation.

Turkey on Wednesday launched Operation Peace Spring east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria to secure its borders by eliminating terrorist elements and to ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees and Syria’s territorial integrity.

Ankara wants to eliminate terrorist elements from the PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the PYD/YPG.

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.