By Ferdi Turkten
ANKARA (AA) – Turkish security forces have “neutralized” 15 PKK/YPG terrorists who attempted to infiltrate the Operation Peace Spring zone in southern Syria, the Defense Ministry said on Sunday.
The commandos dealt a heavy blow to the PKK/YPG terrorist organization, it said in a statement.
Turkish authorities use the word "neutralized" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.
Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor, and enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.
*Writing by Merve Berker