UPDATE - Türkiye 'neutralizes' 6 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Syria, Iraq

UPDATES WITH DEATH TOLL OF TERRORISTS; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Esra Tekin

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

Four PKK/YPG terrorists who opened harassing fire in the Operation Euphrates Shield region of northern Syria were neutralized by fire support vehicles, the ministry said on X.

Two PKK terrorists identified in the Gara region of northern Iraq were "neutralized" during an air operation, the ministry added.

The ministry said the country’s counter-terrorism operations to “effectively and resolutely eliminate terrorism at its source” would continue.

“Our operations will continue without slowing down,” it added.

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

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 more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.

​​​​​​​The PKK is known for using northern Iraq, near the Turkish border, as a hideout to plot terror attacks on Türkiye.

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).