Türkiye ‘neutralizes’ 13 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Iraq, Syria

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Turkish Armed Forces “neutralized” 13 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Iraq and northern Syria, said the country’s Defense Ministry.

Six of the terrorists were “neutralized” in northern Iraq, while the remaining seven were in the Euphrates Shield region in northern Syria, according to the ministry's statement on X.

The ministry also added that there is no escape from "the inevitable fate awaiting terrorists."

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

PKK terrorists often hide out in northern Iraq to plot cross-border attacks in Türkiye.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US and the European Union – 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.

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).