Turkiye ‘neutralizes’ 19 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) – The Turkish military “neutralized” 19 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

A majority of them – 16 – were targeted while preparing an attack on the Operation Olive Branch zone, the ministry said on Twitter.

Three others were neutralized after they opened fire on areas in the Operation Peace Spring area, it added.

Turkish authorities use the term “neutralize” to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

Since 2016, Ankara 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 35-year terror campaign against Turkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the US and European Union – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.​​​​​​​