Turkey 'neutralizes' 3 terrorists in northern Syria

ANKARA

Turkish security forces on Tuesday “neutralized” three terrorists in northern Syria, according to the National Defense Ministry.

On Twitter, the ministry said 15 terrorists have so far been "neutralized" since the killing of two Turkish soldiers on Sunday in the Operation Euphrates Shield region.

Turkish authorities use the term “neutralize” to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured. The affiliation of the terrorists was not given, but the YPG/PKK terror group is active in the area.

Since 2016, Turkey 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 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.