Turkish forces ‘neutralize’ 26 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Syria

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish security forces “neutralized” 26 PKK/YPG terrorists in response to the terror group’s attack on the Dabik Base area in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said on Friday.

“Last night, our soldiers in the Euphrates Shield Operation region strongly responded to the terrorist attack carried out on our Dabiq base area,” 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 EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is its Syrian branch.