Turkish soldier martyred in terrorist attack in Syria

By Yildiz Aktas

ANKARA (AA) - A Turkish soldier, who was injured in an Oct. 16 terrorist attack in northern Syria, succumbed to his wounds on Monday.

He was seriously injured in a YPG/PKK terrorist sniper and mortar attack in an area liberated by Operation Euphrates Shield.

Despite doctors' best efforts, the soldier lost his life in the hospital.

Turkish National Defense Ministry offered its condolences in a statement.

Operation Euphrates Shield and its successors, Operation Olive Branch in 2018 and Operation Peace Spring launched on Oct. 9, have all aimed to eliminate terrorist elements from near Turkey’s borders, including the terrorist groups Daesh and the YPG/PKK.

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

On Oct. 17, Turkey agreed to pause the operation for 120 hours to allow the withdrawal of terrorist YPG/PKK forces from a planned safe zone.

Ankara wants to clear northern Syria east of the Euphrates River of the terrorist PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the YPG/PKK.

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 deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

*Writing by Havva Kara Aydin