Türkiye nabs 15 suspects, including 3 with terror links, trying to illegally cross from Syria

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish border security forces have caught 15 suspects, including at least three with terror links, as they attempted to cross into the country illegally from Syria, the country's National Defense Ministry announced Friday.

Two of the suspects affiliated with the PKK terror group and one with the far-left TKP-ML were among those detained, the ministry said on X.

"Our fight against illegal crossings at our borders continues. Our border patrols intercepted 15 individuals attempting to illegally cross into our country from Syria.

"Upon investigation, it was determined that two of the captured individuals are affiliated with PKK/PYD/YPG, and one with TKP/ML terrorist organizations," the ministry said.

PKK terrorists often hide out in northern Iraq to plot cross-border attacks in Türkiye, and northern Syria, an area outside of Damascus’ control, YPG terrorists have targeted locals and Turkish soldiers present in the region to help maintain order and stability.

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.