399 terrorists neutralized by Turkey's anti-terror op

By Duygu Yener

ANKARA (AA) – The number of neutralized PKK/PYD-YPG terrorists in Turkey's anti-terror operation in northern Syria has risen to 399, according to the National Defense Ministry.

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

On Twitter, the ministry updated the figure amid Turkey's Operation Peace Spring, which said continues “successfully.”

As part of the operation, 14 villages in northern Syria have also been liberated from the terrorists, it said.

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

Ankara wants to clear the region 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 the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The PYD/YPG is its Syrian offshoot.