YPG/PKK keeps violating Turkey’s deals with US, Russia

ANKARA

The PKK/YPG terrorist group continued to violate the safe zone deals that Turkey hammered with the U.S. and Russia, the Turkish Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

"While the TAF [Turkish Armed Forces] fully complies to the existing agreement regarding the facilitation of the Peace Corridor, PKK/YPG terrorists continue transgressing the area of Operation Peace Spring, carrying out a total of 8 violations/attacks with mortar, rockets and sniper fire in the last 24h," the ministry said on Twitter.

Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring on Oct. 9 to eliminate the terrorist YPG/PKK from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

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

Ankara wants YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the region so that a safe zone can be created to pave the way for the safe return of some two million refugees.

On Oct. 22, Turkey and Russia reached a deal under which YPG/PKK terrorists would pull back 30 km (18.6 mi) south of Turkey’s border with Syria, and security forces from Turkey and Russia would mount joint patrols there.