By Gozde Bayar
ANKARA (AA) – Turkish security forces have “neutralized” 20 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, the country's National Defense Ministry said on Monday.
In a statement, the ministry said the terrorists were trying to infiltrate into the Operation Peace Spring zone.
Turkish authorities use the word "neutralized" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.
Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations 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 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.
