By Ismet Karakas
Turkish intelligence “neutralized” a senior YPG/PKK terrorist in northern Syria, security sources said on Friday.
Ali Subasi, codenamed Idris Serhat, was the so-called ideological field manager of the terror group in northern Syria, the sources said on condition of anonymity.
Subasi, on Türkiye's wanted list, was one of the earliest members of the terror organization, and was active in Türkiye, Iran and Iraq.
He acted as a senior member in the region during Türkiye's Olive Branch anti-terror operation in northern Syria.
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 Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is its Syrian branch.
*Writing by Gozde Bayar