ANKARA 

Turkish security forces have arrested at least seven YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, near the country's southern border, the National Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"In operations carried out to prevent YPG/PKK terrorist group's activities aiming to disrupt the peace and secure environment, 4 YPG/PKK terrorists in Operation Euphrates Shield region and 3 YPG/PKK terrorists in Operation Olive Branch area were arrested," the ministry said on Twitter.

Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terrorist operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable peaceful settlement by locals: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

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