Turkiye 'neutralizes' 3 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria

By Jeyhun Aliyev

ANKARA (AA) – Turkiye "neutralized" three YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

Turkish forces targeted two of the terrorists who attempted to attack the Operation Peace Spring zone, and another one who opened harassing fire on the Operation Olive Branch area, the ministry said on Twitter.

"We will continue to strongly respond to terrorist attack attempts," the statement 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 EU – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.​​​​​​​