Türkiye 'neutralizes' 5 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria

By Merve Berker

ANKARA (AA) – Turkish forces “neutralized” five YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

The terrorists were plotting an attack on Turkish soldiers and were targeted in the Operation Euphrates Shield zone, the ministry said in a statement.

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 Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the terror group’s Syrian offshoot.