ANKARA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces killed 8 members of Syria's Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria, Turkey's Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
The YPG members were "neutralized" when they were in preparation for an "attack" against Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield zone in northern Syria, the Turkish ministry tweeted.
Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralized" to imply "terrorists" killed, wounded, or captured in security operations.
Turkey's forces and the YPG members often exchange fire on the Syrian border, and the tension has increased in the region since early January after the killing of three Turkish soldiers when a bomb exploded on its border with Syria.
The Turkish army launched Operation Euphrates Shield in 2016, Operation Olive Branch in 2018, Operation Peace Spring in 2019, and Operation Spring Shield in 2020 in northern Syria.
Turkish authorities say the operations aim to eliminate terror threats against Turkey and provide a safe zone that will facilitate the return of Syrian refugees to their homes.
Ankara sees the YPG as the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). ■
