Türkiye 'Neutralizes' 4 PKK Terrorists In Northern Iraq, Syria

Turkish security forces "neutralized" a total of four YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Iraq and Syria, near the Turkish border, the National Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

Three of the terrorists were "neutralized" in the Operation Claw Lock region in northern Iraq and another in the Operation Euphrates Shield zone in northern Syria, said a ministry statement.

Separately, a member of the terrorist PKK/PYD trying to enter Türkiye from the border with Syria was nabbed in the southeastern province of Sanliurfa.

Tipped that the terrorist would try to enter the country from Syria, security forces beefed up measures on the frontier and made the capture, security sources said Sunday.

Judicial proceedings were initiated against the terrorist, said the sources, who asked not to be named as they were not authorized to speak to the media.

The terrorist PKK is known for using northern Iraq, near the Turkish border, as a hideout to plot terror attacks and for launching attacks both on nearby Türkiye and locals in northern Syria.

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).

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

In its nearly 40-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.

Writing by Gozde Bayar -