By Burak Dag
ANKARA (AA) - Turkey has "neutralized" at least three YPG/PKK terrorists attempting to infiltrate the area of its cross-border anti-terror operation in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said on Friday.
"We have not and will not let the terrorist YPG/PKK to disrupt peace and security in the Operation Peace Spring region. Taking all precautions in the region, our heroic commandos prevented another infiltration attempt and neutralized three YPG/PKK terrorists," it said on Twitter.
Turkish authorities use the term "neutralize" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.
Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border 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.