ANKARA

Turkish forces destroyed 30 targets in northern Syria belonging to the YPG/PKK terrorist group on Thursday, including oil wells and shelters, said Türkiye’s National Defense Ministry.

An air operation was carried out against terrorist targets in the Tal Rifat, Jazira and Al-Malikiyah regions at 11 p.m. local time (2000GMT), the ministry said in a statement.

Security forces destroyed a total of 30 targets including oil wells and storage facilities used by the separatist terrorist organization and caves, bunkers, shelters and warehouses, which were considered to contain senior terrorists, it added.

Turkish forces destroy 30 YPG/PKK targets at air operation in northern Syria, says Türkiye’s National Defense Ministry https://t.co/z0dVQcQTtN pic.twitter.com/N4KGGf6RpG

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The operation aims to eliminate terrorist attacks against the Turkish people and security forces by “neutralizing” PKK/YPG and other terrorist elements to ensure border security based on self-defense rights arising from Article 51 of the UN Charter, it added.

During the operation, all precautions have been taken to prevent harm to innocent civilians, historical and cultural assets and the environment, it said.

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 European Union – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is its Syrian branch.