Operation Euphrates Shield

The Astana Group, comprised of Turkey, Russia and Iran, has expressed concerns over the rising terror attacks against the civilians in northern Syria, while drawing attention to separatist agendas that threaten the security of Syria and neighboring countries.

Turkey will not abandon its struggle against the YPG's efforts to create a terror corridor in northern Syria, the Turkish defense minister has said, in a clear message to the United States which declared that its policy to partner with the YPG in the fight against ISIL will not change.

A YPG/PKK terrorist was held in the town of Al-Bab in northern Syria on Jan. 24, an official statement said.

Local security forces continue their efforts to uncover the terrorist group's activities, the governor's office in southeastern Turkey's Gaziantep province said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has underlined that the Turkish government wants "predictable" bilateral ties and a good dialogue with the new U.S. administration despite existing problems between the two allies, including Turkey's purchase of the S-400 systems from Russia and continued American support to the YPG in eastern Syria

Turkish security forces "neutralized" four YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, the Turkish Defense Ministry said on Dec. 26.

The terrorists were attempting to carry out an attack in the Operation Peace Spring area, the ministry said on Twitter.

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

The biggest problem between Turkey and the United States is the latter's continued support to the YPG in eastern Syria, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has said, calling on its NATO ally to revise its decision to impose sanctions on the Turkish defense industry body over the acquisition of the Russian S-400 systems.

A Turkish soldier, who was injured in Syria's northwestern Idlib in April, succumbed to his injuries, the National Defense Ministry said on June 7. 

The ministry said the soldier was injured during Turkey's Operation Peace Spring and offered condolences to the family of the killed soldier, the Turkish Armed Forces and the Turkish nation.

Turkey will continue protecting its rights and interests in the Mediterranean without any compromise, the country's National Security Council said on June 2. 

Turkish security forces have so far "neutralized" a total of 1,458 terrorists in cross-border operations since the beginning of this year, the defense minister said on May 25.

Turkey's defense minister and top force commanders on May 23 carried out inspections along the border where southern Turkey meets northern Syria, according to security sources.