Over 1,500 militants ‘neutralized’ so far in Afrin operation: Turkish military

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

At least 1,551 People’s Protection Units (YPG) militants have been “neutralized” since the beginning of Turkey’s “Operation Olive Branch” in Syria’s northwestern district of Afrin, the Turkish General Staff said on Feb. 16.

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

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched “Operation Olive Branch” to clear YPG militants from Afrin. Ankara sees the YPG as a terror organization for its links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).