UPDATE - Turkiye 'neutralizes' 33 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria

UPDATES WITH 4 MORE YPG/PKK TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED; REVISES HEADLINE, LEDE

By Seda Sevencan, Ali Murat Alhas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkiye “neutralized” 33 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said on Friday.

Turkish forces targeted 28 of the terrorists who attempted to attack the Operation Euphrates Shield zone, and one more who was preparing for an attack on the Operation Peace Spring area, the ministry said.

In another statement, the ministry said that four more YPG/PKK terrorists were neutralized after they opened harassment fire on a Turkish outpost located in Turkiye’s southern Mardin province bordering Syria.

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