Icelandic citizen who sided with YPG killed during Turkey’s operation in Syria’s Afrin

ISTANBUL

An Icelandic citizen who sided with the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) has been killed in Turkey’s ongoing “Operation Olive Branch” in Syria’s northwestern Afrin district, according to Turkish broadcaster CNN Türk.

Haukur Hilmarsson, 32, was killed on Feb. 24, and his body will reportedly be sent back to his country soon.

Erdoğan: 2,960 militants ‘neutralized’ in Afrin operation

A total of 2,960 militants have been “neutralized” since the start of “Operation Olive Branch” in Syria’s northwestern Afrin region, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated on March 7.

The Turkish General Staff had announced the number of militants “neutralized” as 2,940 in a statement earlier on the same day.

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

“In the Afrin [operation], developments show us that this nation is a powerful nation. When the nation is united … in a brotherly way, we see what it can accomplish,” Erdoğan said during a speech at the International Women’s Day Program organized by the Confederation of Righteous Trade Unions (Hak-İş) in Ankara.

“Just a while ago I received the latest number … It currently stands at 2,960 [militants neutralized]. This number will exceed 3,000 by this evening,” he added.