Turkish Forces 'Neutralize' 9 YPG/PKK Terrorists In Northern Iraq, Syria

Turkish security forces neutralized at least 22 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Iraq and Syria, authorities said on Wednesday.

At least nine terrorists attempted to attack and infiltrate the border line in eastern Mardin province before being "neutralized," the Turkish National Defense Ministry said on Twitter.

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).

Later in the day, the ministry said in a statement that Turkish forces neutralized eight more YPG/PKK terrorists who were preparing to target Operation Peace Spring and Euphrates Shield zones in northern Syria.

Separately, the ministry said in a tweet as many as five PKK terrorists were targeted in the Operation Claw-Lock zone.

Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock and Claw-Lightning in April to target the PKK terror organization's hideouts in northern Iraq's Metina, Zap, and Avasin-Basyan regions, near the Turkish border.

The PKK terror group often uses bases in northern Iraq just across Türkiye's southern border to hide and plot terror attacks in Türkiye.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and the European Union – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot. -