UPDATES NUMBER OF TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED; REVISES HEADLINE, LEDE
By Zehra Nur Duz
ANKARA (AA) – Turkish security forces “neutralized” at least 58 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said on Saturday.
Terror targets in the Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch, and Peace Spring regions were strongly hit by Turkish fire support vehicles on Friday night in accordance with the principle of self-defense, the ministry said on X.
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 the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is its Syrian branch.