UPDATE - Turkish forces 'neutralize' 12 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, Iraq

UPDATES WITH SEPARATE OPERATION; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Gozde Bayar and Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish forces “neutralized” 12 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria and Iraq, near the Turkish border, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said on Monday.

At least six terrorists attempted to attack areas of Türkiye's counter-terrorism offensives – Operation Peace Spring, Euphrates Shield, and Olive Branch zones – near the Turkish border before being "neutralized," the Turkish National Defense Ministry said on Twitter.

The other six PKK terrorists were targeted in the Operation Claw-Lock zone, according to the ministry.

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

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

The PKK terror group often uses bases in northern Iraq just across Türkiye’s southern border to hide and plot terror attacks in Türkiye.

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 over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is PKK's Syrian offshoot.