Turkish operations neutralize 2,398 terrorists in 2018: Minister

KİLİS – Anadolu Agency

Almost 2,400 terrorists neutralized in 147 major counterterrorism operations in 2018, Turkish defense minister said on Jan 1.

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

Hulusi Akar's remarks came when he visited military brigades stationed on the border with Syria.

Turkish Chief of General Staff Yaşar Güler, Land Forces Commander Ümit Dündar, Air Forces Commander Hasan Küçükakyüz and Naval Forces Commander Adnan Özbal also accompanied Akar.

The minister said the Turkish airstrikes also destroyed 922 targets which include ammunition depots and shelters used by the terrorists.

Following his visit to border military brigades, Akar held a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

"You made history in [Syria's] Jarablus and Afrin cities and I know this process will continue like this after that,” Erdoğan said during the phone call.