UPDATE - 64 SNA troops martyred in Turkey-led anti-terror op

UPDATES WITH CIVILIANS SAFE RETURN

By Selen Temizer

TAL ABYAD/RAS AL-AYN, Syria (AA) - At least 18 Syrian National Army (SNA) soldiers were martyred on Wednesday, putting the number of total martyrs at 64, during Turkey's anti-terror operation in northern Syria since its launch last week.

The SNA is composed of various opposition groups fighting against the Bashar al-Assad regime of Syria and alongside Turkish forces against YPG/PKK terrorists as part of the anti-terror operation.

A total of 187 SNA soldiers have also been injured during Operation Peace Spring which was launched on Oct. 9 to eliminate YPG/PKK 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.

Clashes with the YPG/PKK terrorists are ongoing as the counter-terrorism operation is underway in various locations in the Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ayn districts on the Syria-Turkey border.

A total of 673 YPG/PKK terrorists have been neutralized.

The operation has cleared two district centers, a town and tens of villages of the YPG/PKK terrorists so far.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

- Safe return of civilians

As Operation Peace Spring enters its ninth day, Turkish forces and SNA continue to neutralize terrorists in the countryside of Tal Abyad.

Meanwhile, civilians who had temporarily left the town and those who had been forcibly displaced earlier by YPG/PKK terrorists have begun to return to their homes, while the Syrian National Army is maintaining security of freed villages.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Hisham Hussein, one of the returning civilians, expressed his pleasure at coming back home.

"YPG/PKK forced us Arabs to migrate, seized our homes and properties," he said. "When I came back, I found my house looted and demolished by the group."

He expressed hope that the Turkish government would provide support in reconstruction of the devastated region.

Hussein stressed that the terrorist group was imposing restrictions on the movement of individuals who were required to acquire security permission.

Ankara wants to clear northern Syria, east of the Euphrates River, of the terrorist 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 deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat