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

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

At least 1,485 People’s Protection Units (YPG) militants have been “neutralized” since the beginning of “Operation Olive Branch” in Syria’s northwestern district of Afrin, according to the Turkish General Staff on Feb. 14.

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 “neutralized” 46 more YPG militants in airstrikes that were carried out overnight.

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).