Turkey neutralizes 5 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria

ISTANBUL

Turkish forces neutralized five YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, across the country's border, the National Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

Four terrorists who attempted to attack the Operation Peace Spring zone and another one who attempted to attack the Operation Euphrates Shield zone were neutralized, the ministry said on Twitter.

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 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.