Turkey responds to harassing fire in NW Syria

ANKARA

The Turkish military on Saturday retaliated to harassing fire by YPG/PKK terrorists in northwestern Syria, officials said.

According to a tweet by the National Defense Ministry, the firing came from Tal Rifaat city in Syria and Turkish military in the Euphrates Shield zone responded with equal force.

Since 2016, Turkey has conducted two successful cross-border operations into Syria -- operations Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch -- with a view to eradicating terrorist groups operating near Turkey’s borders.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.