ANKARA 

Turkish security forces “neutralized” at least two YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, near Turkey's southern border, the National Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

"We will not allow the terror organization YPG/PKK to disrupt the peace and secure environment in Operation Peace Spring zone. After conducting all means of measures, our heroic commandos have once again foiled the YPG/PKK terrorists' attempt to infiltrate and neutralized two terrorists," the ministry said on Twitter.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralize" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

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 the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.