ANKARA

Turkey neutralized three YPG/PKK terrorists who attempted to infiltrate into its anti-terror operation zone in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry announced Monday.

"Three PKK/YPG terrorists who opened fire and attempted to infiltrate into the Operation Euphrates Shield region to disrupt peace and security were neutralized by our heroic commandos," the ministry said on Twitter.

We will not allow peace and security in the region to be spoiled, it added.

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

Since 2016, Turkey 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 a peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is PKK's Syrian offshoot.