PKK/YPG mine blast kills 2 in Tal Abyad, northern Syria

ANKARA

At least two civilians were killed including a child and three injured in a mine blast in northern Syria on Wednesday, according to Turkey's National Defense Ministry.

"A #mine planted by #PKK #YPG #terrorists in the Tel Abyad [Tal Abyad] customs gate area in the Operation Peace Spring region has detonated after a civilian vehicle drove over it.

"A #woman and a #child was #killed while three more innocent civilians were injured due to malicious intent," the ministry said on Twitter.

A #mine planted by #PKK #YPG #terrorists in the Tel Abyad customs gate area in the Operation Peace Spring region has detonated after a civilian vehicle drove over it. A #woman and a #child was #killed while three more innocent civilians were injured due to malicious intent. pic.twitter.com/mpLdyKVqAt

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) December 18, 2019

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

Since then, Turkey reached agreements with both the U.S. and Russia to force the terrorist YPG/PKK to withdraw from the planned terror-free zone.

But remnants of the YPG/PKK have persisted in some areas, launching attacks on civilians.

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 nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.