UPDATE - Turkey 'neutralizes' 5 PKK terrorists in Iraq, Syria

UPDATES WITH TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED IN SYRIA; ADDS TURKISH SOLDIER KILLED; EDITS THROUGHOUT INCLUDING HEADLINE, DECK

ANKARA (AA) – Turkish security forces "neutralized" five PKK terrorists in northern areas of Iraq and Syria, Turkey's National Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

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

In separate statements on Twitter, the ministry said two terrorists were neutralized in the areas of Operation Pence-Simsek and Operation Pence-Kaplan in northern Iraq, while three others were neutralized in Operation Peace Spring and Operation Olive Branch zones in northern Syria, both are the areas near Turkey's southern border.

Turkey continues its fight against terrorists resolutely, it added.

- Turkish soldier succumbs to injuries from northern Iraq clash

Separately, one Turkish soldier who was wounded in clashes with terrorists in northern Iraq, succumbed to his injures in hospital, the ministry said.

"We wish Allah's mercy upon our heroic martyr, and offer our condolences and patience to his precious family, the Turkish Armed Forces, and the nation," the ministry added.

The terrorist PKK often uses bases in northern Iraq, just across Turkey's southern border, to plot terror attacks in Turkey, and the YPG/PKK has tried to establish a terror corridor in northern Syria, targeting both Turkish soldiers and border areas.

Turkey has carried out a series of offensives since 2019 against terrorist groups in northern Iraq, particularly the PKK. The latest operations are Pence-Simsek and Pence-Yildirim launched this April in the Metina and Avasin-Basyan regions. Earlier, Turkey launched Operations Pence-Kaplan and Pence-Kartal in June 2020.

Also, 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 over 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.