ANKARA 

Turkish security forces "neutralized" four YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, across Turkiye's border, authorities said on Sunday.

According to the Turkish National Defense Ministry, the terrorists attempted to attack the Operation Peace Spring zone.


It said on Twitter that Turkish soldiers prevented an attempted attack by the terrorists, neutralizing four of them.


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


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 Turkiye, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the US, and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.