Turkish military ‘neutralizes’ 11 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Syria

By Gizem Nisa Cebi

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish armed forces "neutralized" 11 PKK/YPG terrorists identified in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said on Monday.

"11 PKK/YPG terrorists who were preparing to attack in the Olive Branch and Euphrates Shield regions in northern Syria were neutralized," the ministry said on X.

"We continue to respond with equal force to the terrorist's attack attempts," it added.

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 over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.