1,266 militants ‘neutralized’ in Turkey’s Afrin operation: Military

1,266 militants ‘neutralized’ in Turkey’s Afrin operation: Military

ANKARA
1,266 militants ‘neutralized’ in Turkey’s Afrin operation: Military

At least 1,266 People’s Protection Units (YPG) militants have been “neutralized” since the beginning of “Operation Olive Branch” in Syria’s Afrin district, the Turkish General Staff said on Feb. 11.

Turkish authorities often use the word “neutralized” in their statements to imply the militants in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.

In a statement, the military said the Turkish Armed Forces had destroyed 19 YPG targets and “neutralized” 86 more militants during operations since Feb. 10.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched “Operation Olive Branch” to clear YPG militants from Afrin in northwestern Syria.