ANKARA

Turkish forces "neutralized" five YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

The terrorists were targeted in the Operation Peace Spring zone, the ministry said in a statement.

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