UPDATE - Turkey neutralizes 12 YPG/PKK terrorists in cross-border operations

CHANGES HEAD, DECK, LEDE; ADDS DETAILS

By Merve Aydogan and Ali Murat Alhas

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey neutralized a total of 12 terrorists affiliated with the PKK and its Syrian branch, the YPG, in northern Iraq and Syria, the Ministry of National Defense said on Monday.

Three PKK terrorists were neutralized in airstrikes by Turkish forces in northern Iraq, according to the ministry, who said the terrorists were detected through joint efforts by the Turkish Armed Forces and National Intelligence Organization.

They were neutralized in airstrikes in Iraq’s northern Metina region near the Turkish border, it added.

Turkish combat helicopters neutralized two other PKK terrorists in the same region of northern Iraq, the ministry said in a later statement.

Also, seven YPG/PKK terrorists were neutralized by Turkish commando units in areas in northern Syria liberated by Turkey's counter-terrorism operations, namely Peace Spring and Euphrates Shield.

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).

Turkish authorities use the word "neutralized" in statements to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

The PKK terror group often uses bases in northern Iraq, just across Turkey’s southern border, to hide and plot terror attacks in Turkey.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.