Turkey neutralizes YPG/PKK terrorist in northern Syria

ANKARA

A YPG/PKK terrorist was neutralized while trying to infiltrate an area cleared in Turkish operations in northern Syria, Turkey’s National Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

“Our heroic commandos once again prevented infiltration of PKK/YPG terror group into the [Operation] Peace Spring area,” the ministry said in a tweet.

“One more PKK/YPG terrorist, who wanted to disrupt the peace and security environment in the region, is neutralized.”

Turkish authorities often use the word “neutralize” to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terrorist operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable peaceful settlement by locals: 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.