YPG/PKK terrorist behind Afrin blast remanded in Turkey

By Lale Koklu

HATAY, Turkey (AA) - A YPG/PKK terrorist was remanded into custody in Turkey, a judicial source said Thursday.

The 29-year-old terrorist, identified by the initials E.A., planted hand-made explosives at a roadside in Qurayriyah village of Syria’s Afrin region on March 5, which left four civilians dead, said the source on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

He was assisted by another terrorist named Hebat.

The bomb detonated as a pickup truck carrying 36 civilians was passing by. The casualties included two children and a baby.

The terrorist confessed: "We planted around 3-5 kilograms of explosives on the road.

“Then, we moved 150 meters away from the area towards an olive grove. The explosion left my left leg broken."

He said he had illegally crossed into Syria from Turkey five years ago and joined the YPG/PKK terror group.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists from Afrin, northwestern Syria.

A total of 3,525 terrorists have been "neutralized" since the start of operation, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an address in Ankara on Thursday.

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

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from the oppression and cruelty of terrorists.

The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey's rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN charter, and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said.

The military also said only terror targets are being destroyed and that "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming civilians.