YPG/PKK’s mine storage facility found in northern Syria

By Esin Isik

ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish military has found a mine storage facility belonging to YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, where Turkey launched an anti-terror operation last month, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry on Wednesday.

“Search and scanning activites are continuing in the Operation Peace Spring area. In a school building used by PKK/YPG terrorists as an arms storage, 50 anti-tank mines were found,” the ministry said in a Twitter post.

Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring 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.

Ankara wants YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the region so that a safe zone can be created to pave the way for the safe return of some 2 million refugees.

On Oct. 22, Ankara and Moscow reached a deal under which YPG/PKK terrorists will pull back 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) south of Turkey’s border with Syria, and security forces from Turkey and Russia will mount joint patrols there.

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 Syrian offshoot of the PKK.

*Writing by Sibel Morrow