Turkish forces arrest 2 YPG/PKK militants in Northern Syria

Militants held in region of Turkish operation just across Turkey's southern border

ANKARA:

Turkish security forces arrested at least two YPG/PKK militants in northern Syria, near Turkey's southern border, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"Two YPG/PKK terrorists, found to be carrying out terrorist activities aiming to disrupt the peace and secure environment in the Operation Olive Branch region, were arrested before achieving their treacherous ambitions," the ministry said on Twitter.

The Turkish troops are in the region as part of a cross-border security and counter-terrorist initiative.

Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio 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 its more than 30-year campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.