5 ISIL members 'neutralized' while attempting to cross border, Turkish PM says

Five Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants have been neutralized while attempting to cross Turkey's border illegally, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said Aug. 20. 

"This morning, five ISIL members were neutralized while attempting to cross the border illegally. It is under control," he said at a press conference in Ankara Esenboğa Airport before leaving for Singapore, adding that Turkey was under constant threat of terrorism due to its neighbors in the region.  

Turkish authorities use the word "neutralized" to refer to militants who are killed, wounded or captured.       

On Aug. 19, police in the southern province of Hatay detained four ISIL suspects and shot one of them after an attempt to attack the security units.

The ISIL suspect succumbed to his wounds in hospital.

Asked whether Turkey would launch operations into the Syrian cities of Afrin and Idlib, Yıldırım said Turkey was paying the price of terrorist organizations' instability. 

"Unfortunately, each and every terrorist organization takes over the rule from the other and there is a serious instability. The innocent who live there pay the price for it, and so does Turkey. Turkey would respond to any threats to border security and the people's safety of life and property without hesitation," he said.  
      
Asked about Russian and Iranian military and diplomatic authorities frequently visiting Turkey, Yıldırım said, "We are working together to ensure a lasting peace in Syria. Our purpose is to make the temporary truce permanent."        

"For Syria's future and their people to return to their homelands, there is nothing more normal than Turkey contributing to solutions that they should closely be following," he added.   ...