Türkiye eliminates 38 PKK/YPG terrorists over past week

Türkiye’s National Defense Ministry revealed that 38 PKK/YPG terrorists were “neutralized” in operations conducted over the past week, spanning across the border regions of northern Iraq and Syria.

The term “neutralize” is employed by Turkish authorities to signify the terrorists’ surrender, capture or elimination. 

Ministry spokesperson Zeki Akturk disclosed that a total of 646 terrorists have been neutralized since the onset of 2024, with 268 located in northern Iraq and 378 in northern Syria.

Akturk also noted the surrender of one PKK terrorist who had fled shelters in northern Iraq, surrendering at the Habur border post.

PKK militants frequently exploit northern Iraq as a base for planning cross-border attacks into Türkiye, while its Syrian affiliate, the YPG, operates in northern Syria.

Türkiye has undertaken a series of successful anti-terror operations since 2016, including Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019), aimed at preventing the establishment of a terror corridor and facilitating the resettlement of civilians.

The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S., and the EU, has been responsible for over 40,000 casualties in its nearly four-decade-long campaign of terror, with the YPG identified as its Syrian counterpart.

Akturk reported that 82 individuals, including two affiliated with terrorist organizations, were apprehended attempting illegal crossings into Türkiye within the past week, with an additional 2,572 people prevented from crossing.

Since the beginning of the year, 2,003 individuals have been caught attempting illegal border crossings, while 39,412 others have been deterred.

Akturk highlighted the Turkish Armed Forces’ ongoing successful missions both domestically and internationally, emphasizing the importance of the U.N. Security Council’s resolution urging an immediate cease-fire in Gaza during Ramadan and calling for humanitarian access while urging Israel to comply.

Furthermore, he announced a planned port visit to Greece by the TCG Amasra mine hunting ship as part of NATO’s Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 mission.

Lastly, Akturk revealed that the F-16 aircraft and personnel stationed in Romania under the NATO Enhanced Air Policing mission will conclude their mission on March 31 and return to Türkiye on April 2.