ISTANBUL 

Turkish forces neutralized 17 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Syria, near the border with Türkiye​​​​​​​, the Turkish Defense Ministry said on Saturday.​​​​​​​

“Our heroic Turkish Armed Forces neutralized 17 PKK/YPG terrorists identified in the operation Euphrates Shield and Peace Spring areas and in Manbij in northern Syria. We will continue unpredictable, unconventional, rapid, and continuous operations to destroy terrorism at its source,” said a ministry statement.

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


In its 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 over 40,000 people, including women, children, infants, and the elderly. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.

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).