Merve Aydogan
14 July 2020•Update: 14 July 2020
ANKARA
Turkish security forces have arrested at least four YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, across Turkey's southern border, the Turkish Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
"In operations carried out to prevent YPG/PKK terrorist group's activities aiming to disrupt the peace and secure environment; 2 YPG/PKK terrorists were arrested in Operation Euphrates Shield region and 2 in Operation Olive Branch area," the ministry said on Twitter.
Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terrorist operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable peaceful settlement by locals: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).
In a separate tweet, country’s National Defense Ministry said at least four PKK terrorists have surrendered to Turkish security forces.
The terrorists surrendered to security teams near Iraq's border in southeastern Silopi district of Sirnak province, the ministry said on Twitter.
"PKK terrorists continue to surrender as a result of decisive operations by our Turkish Armed Forces. Once again, 4 PKK terrorist who had escaped from terrorist shelter regions in northern Iraq have surrendered to our security forces in Silopi," it said.
In its more than 30-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 PKK's Syrian offshoot.
