UPDATE - Turkish forces 'neutralize' 10 YPG/PKK terrorists in N.Syria

UPDATES NUMBER OF TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Burak Dag

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces "neutralized" 10 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, near the Turkish border, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

A total of two terrorists were targeted in the Operation Olive Branch zone, the ministry said in a statement.

Separately, it said that at least eight YPG/PKK terrorists were neutralized in the Operation Euphrates Shield zone.

Turkish authorities use the term "neutralize" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured. PKK/YPG terrorists hide out in northern Syria, near the Turkish border, where they plan or stage attacks on both locals and nearby settlements in Türkiye.

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 over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is its Syrian branch.