Liberated N.Syrian areas cleared of terrorist symbols

RAS AL-AYN, Syria

Pushing forward in the Turkish-led anti-terror operation in northern Syria, Syrian National Army (SNA) soldiers took down symbols of the terrorist YPG/PKK in a newly liberated village.

Providing security in liberated villages with patrols and searches, the SNA soldiers removed so-called flags of the terrorist group in the village of Tal Half in the Ras al-Ayn district.

Since the beginning of Operation Peace Spring, the Turkish army has liberated a total of 13 villages, including Tal Half, from PKK/PYD-YPG terrorists.

On patrol, soldiers also found tunnels used by terrorists as shelters.

Turkey on Wednesday launched Operation Peace Spring east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria to secure its borders by eliminating terrorist elements and to ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees and Syria’s territorial integrity.

Ankara wants to eliminate terrorist elements of the PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the PYD/YPG, from the region.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

* Writing by Nilay Kar Onum