UPDATE - Türkiye 'neutralizes' 15 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Iraq, Syria

UPDATES WITH ADDITIONAL FIGURES OF PKK/YPG TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED IN SYRIA; CHANGES DECK, HEADLINE, LEDE

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish security forces "neutralized" 15 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Iraq and northern Syria, Türkiye's National Defense Ministry said Sunday.

Seven PKK terrorists were "neutralized" in the Gara region and four others in the Hakurk region through air operations carried out in northern Iraq between Jan. 29 and Feb. 7, the ministry said on X.

"The Turkish Armed Forces continue to take preventive and destructive measures against terrorist organizations for our sacred homeland," it added.

A total of 4 PKK/YPG terrorists were "neutralized" in the Operation Peace Spring zone in northern Syria, the ministry said in a separate statement.

"We will continue to respond to terrorist harassment and attack attempts with retaliation," the ministry said.

The term "neutralize" is used by Turkish authorities to indicate that the terrorists were killed, captured, or surrendered.

PKK terrorists frequently hide in northern Iraq to plan cross-border attacks against Türkiye.

In northern Syria, Türkiye has carried out a series of successful anti-terror operations since 2016, including Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019), to prevent the establishment of a terror corridor and ensure the peaceful settlement of local residents.

Since the fall of the Assad regime, the PKK/YPG has attempted to exploit regional instability to create a “terror corridor” along the border with Türkiye.

In its 40-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, infants, and the elderly.