YPG–FSA relations

A total of 26 PKK/YPG terrorists who were preparing to attack the Operation Peace Spring and Operation Euphrates Shield zones have been neutralized, the Defense Ministry has announced.

"Eighteen PKK/YPG terrorists have been neutralized by our Turkish Armed Forces in the Euphrates Shield zone," the ministry said in a social media post.

Following Ankara's announcement of an upcoming military incursion in northern Syria, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army has deployed some 5,000 armed men in the region to act with the Turkish army to clear Tal Rifaat and Manbij provinces of PKK/YPG terrorists.

"We can take Tal Rifaat in 24 hours with Turkish soldiers," SNA commanders said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Turkish army has started hitting some PKK/YPG targets in northern Syria's Tal Rifaat and Manbij districts with cannon fire as the preparations for an upcoming crossover military operation, aimed to be conducted for safe return of some 500,000 Syrians, are ongoing.

Eight civilians were killed and at least 20 others wounded in a car explosion attack by YPG/PKK terrorists in south of Tal Abyad in northern Syria, Turkey's National Defense Ministry said on Nov. 10.

Turkish army dispatched humanitarian aid to the needy local people of Ras al-Ayn city in northern Syria recently rescued from the YPG/PKK terror group, National Defense Ministry said on Nov. 5.

Turkey continues to work to make more livable Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ain, areas of northern Syria cleared of YPG/PKK terrorists through Turkey's anti-terror operation launched last month.

A local council was established on Oct. 27 in Syria's northern town of Tal Abyad, which Turkey recently cleared of YPG/PKK terrorists with its Operation Peace Spring.

Authorities in Kurdish-controlled areas in Syria have accused Turkey of using unconventional weapons such as white phosphorus and napalm during its offensive in the northern areas of the country, AFP reported.

The agency says it has failed to independently verify these allegations against Ankara forces or Syrian fighters who support them.

One Turkish soldier was killed and another wounded in northern Syrian region of Tel Rifaat on May 4, during an attack by the YPG militants, the defense ministry said in a statement.

Turkey's Special Forces Command and units from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) launched a joint operation in the early hours of Nov. 18 against a crime group in the Syrian province of Afrin.