ANKARA 

The YPG/PKK terror group targeted civilians with a car bomb attack in Ras al-Ayn in northern Syria, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"The enemy of humanity #PKK/#YPG terrorists continue to carry out car bomb attacks against civilians, this time detonating a car bomb in central Ras al-Ayn and injuring a large number of innocent civilians with children among them," the ministry said on Twitter.

Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

Ankara wants YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the region so a safe zone can be created to pave the way for the safe return of some two million refugees.

On Oct. 22, Ankara and Moscow reached a deal under which YPG/PKK terrorists would pull back 30 km (18.6 mi) south of Turkey’s border with Syria, and security forces from Turkey and Russia would mount joint patrols there.

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