Terrorist YPG/PKK used Syrian school as hideout: Turkey

ANKARA

Using a civilian building as its hideout, the terrorist YPG/PKK in northern Syria used a school in northern Syria as its headquarters, Turkey’s National Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

“It has been determined that PKK/YPG terrorists used the school in the village of Nukra in Ras al-Ayn as a headquarters and caused extensive damage there,” the ministry said on Twitter.

It has been determined that PKK/YPG terrorists have used the school in Nukra village in Ras al-Ayn as a headquarters and caused extensive damage, while also using the church, hospital and other schools as an ammunition depot in the eastern Euphrates. pic.twitter.com/SNlOQWo1Qc

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) November 17, 2019

The statement added that the terrorist group also used churches, hospitals, and other schools in area of Turkey’s anti-terrorist operation as ammunition depots.

Later in the day, the ministry made another statement and said the local school in the village of Nukra was repaired with help of Turkish soldiers, locals and governorate of a neighboring Turkish province.

“The local school in Nukra village in Ras al-Ayn which was damaged by PKK after being used as a HQ was repaired by Turkish soldiers with the help of local villagers and Sanlıurfa Governorate. They repainted the school, renewed its electric system and changed its doors and windows,” the statement said.

Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.