ANKARA

Türkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) "neutralized" a senior PKK/YPG terrorist, Turkish security sources said on Sunday.

The terrorist, a Syrian national codenamed Bahoz Afrin, was the so-called ringleader of the terror group in the Ayn al-Arab region in northern Syria, the sources said on condition of anonymity.

They added that MIT obtained intelligence indicating that the terrorist was planning a new act of terrorism targeting security forces along the border.

The operation was launched after it was discovered that the terrorist was in the advanced stages of finalizing the plot.

Reports indicate that the PKK/YPG is in a severe crisis of leadership in Ayn al-Arab, due to Turkish intelligence forces "neutralizing" terrorists sent to the region.

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 EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan