Turkey kills 15 PKK/YPG militants in Syria, Iraq

Turkey has reported the neutralization of 15 Kurdish militants in operations conducted in northern Syria and Iraq, continuing its military campaign against groups it designates as terrorists, specifically the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Syrian YPG militia. The Turkish Ministry of Defense stated that 13 militants were killed in Syria, while two were neutralized in Iraq, emphasizing its commitment to combating terrorism and securing its borders. Turkey's stance is at odds with the United States, which views the YPG as a key ally in the fight against ISIS, leading to tensions over U.S. support for the group. These military actions follow recent clashes and signal Turkey's determination to confront perceived threats from Kurdish forces, particularly after the fall of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. Ankara has warned that the Syrian Democratic Forces, which include the YPG, must disarm to avoid military intervention. Turkey's operations aim to eliminate the PKK's influence and prevent the establishment of a Kurdish autonomous region near its borders.