Türkiye ‘neutralizes’ 10 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Iraq, Syria

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – Turkish security forces “neutralized” 10 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Iraq and northern Syria, the country’s National Defense Ministry announced on Friday.

Five PKK/YPG terrorists were neutralized in the Euphrates Shield operation zone in northern Syria, while five were neutralized in the Gara region and Claw-Lock operation zone in northern Iraq, the ministry said.

“No place for terrorism and terrorists anywhere!" the ministry added on X.

Turkish authorities use the term “neutralize” to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock in April 2022 to target the PKK terror organization's hideouts in Iraq's northern Metina, Zap and Avasin-Basyan regions near the Turkish border.

Ankara has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations since 2016 across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a PKK/YPG terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

In its nearly 40-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 the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.