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A total of 43 terrorists including a so-called senior figure were neutralized as part of anti-terror operations on Turkish soil and in northern Iraq over the past week, the military said on Friday.
Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.
In a weekly statement, Turkish General Staff said the counter-terrorism raids were carried out in eastern Sirnak, Mardin, Erzurum and Bingol provinces as well as in northern Iraq regions from July 13-19.
The United States is protecting Daesh’s foreign fighters in an underground prison in Syria’s north. Sources from al-Hasakah revealed that Washington transformed an old school into a facility for top foreign Daesh terrorists.The terrorists previously held at different points are brought to the large facility in Ayn Issa.The facility consists of two sections, one underground and one on ground level.US encouraging its allies to focus on PKK terror groupMilitary facility façadeThere are two units on ground level, including living quarters for guards among various prison facilities.The basement has been expanded and consists of questioning rooms and prison cells.All officials working at the facility are Americans, and Washington has told locals that the prison is a “military facility.”Turkish jets destroy PKK terror targets in N IraqWitnesses have seen Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) terrorists enter the facility, which is protected by tower-type surveillance stations, cameras and thick walls dubbed the T-Wall system.The BBC reported in mid-November 2017 that a deal was struck between Daesh and the SDF, a U.S.-backed force that consists largely of PKK/PYD terrorists, to allow 250 Daesh terrorists and 3,500 of their family members to flee on Oct. 12. 
Daesh terrorists protected by US in Syria's north
Some 39 infantry rifles, 1 machine gun, an RPG rocket launcher, 6 guns and an AT-4 missile, 26.3 kilograms (58 pounds) of explosives and 3 improvised explosives were destroyed.
During the operations, one soldiers was martyred and two others were injured, the statement said.
The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015.
Claims that Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city, among other central cities, will be under Turkey’s control have arisen. Before Syria was ravaged by war, Aleppo hosted a population of 5.5 million people, but 75 percent of the city was emptied in 2013 after the opposition left. Once under Turkey’s control, Aleppo will be rebuilt and over three million Syrian refugees who were forced to flee to Europe will be able to return to their hometown as control is delivered jointly to the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and Free Syrian Army (FSA) alliance.Ankara and Moscow are communicatingTurkish and Russian officials are discussing the Aleppo matter.“Great political and military progress has been made regarding Turkish control of Hama, Aleppo and Idlib. The return of more than three million civilians from Turkey and Europe to Aleppo will begin with the withdrawal of regime forces and Shiite militias from the region,” National Coalition for Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces member Fuat Aliko told Yeni Şafak daily.Training for joint Turkey-US patrol to start: USFollowing the evacuation of the Fua and Keferya villages, which are connected to Idlib, a “Sunni corridor” map including Hama, Aleppo and Idlib will crystalize, Aliko added.From the second half of 2018, the U.S. and PKK will administer the east, Turkey and the FSA will administer central areas and Russia and the Asaad regime will administer the south and western areas, Aliko stated.Three separate areas“Lattakia, Tartus, Homs, Damascus and Deir ez-Zor will be controlled by the Assad regime and Russia. Al-Hasakah, Raqqa and the Deir ez-Zor countryside will be delivered to the U.S.-PKK alliance. The central areas which will mostly be inhabited by Sunni Muslims – Hama, Idlib and Aleppo – will be under Turkey’s control. Negotiations between governments are ongoing. Al-Iys, Rashidin, al-Bab and Han Asal are already surrounded by the TAF and FSA. The upcoming period will be one of diplomacy and politics as opposed to military moves. The multidimensional process that includes Turkey also includes regional and global actors,” Aliko said.Civilians evacuated from Shia villages in Syria’s IdlibA new era“The presence of Shiite militia in areas controlled by the Assad regime and Russia is an international problem. The PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by many groups, is positioned to the east of the Euphrates and this is also an issue. A new era may be initiated with Turkish control of Aleppo. This is an important step to protecting Syria’s territorial integrity. Parallel to the map which is terror-free and stipulates the presence of legitimate forces on the ground, there are hopes for political, military and economic solutions. The operations in Damascus, Homs and Daraa as well the realization of the control areas should be seen as clear mediations,” Aliko added.Assad regime is not powerful enough“Turkey’s initiative in Aleppo, the rebuilding of the city, the revival of industry and trade as well as the return of over 3 million Syrians to their homeland is backed by many European and Arab states. In Aleppo, Hama and Idlib, infrastructure elements such as industrial facilities, houses, city infrastructure, electricity and water were almost completely destroyed. The Syrian regime will not remedy this problem and will not be able revive Idlib and Hama, and especially not Aleppo. There is no chance of the Assad regime receiving international support either. This problem can only be overcome with a strong country like Turkey's guarantor status and responsibility. Russia, Damascus and Iran are also aware of this situation,” Aliko said.Turkey warns against repeating SW scenario in Syria’s IdlibTurkish army conducts 16th round of patrols in ManbijSyrian opposition, regime allies to exchange hostages
Claims that Turkey will control central Syria emerge
Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including many women and children.
Separately, the military said since the launch of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Syria’s Afrin region, a total of 4,545 terrorists have been neutralized.
On Jan. 20 Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to remove YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin. On March 18, Turkish troops and the Free Syrian Army liberated the Afrin district center.
The State Department’s coordinator for counterterrorism said Thursday that he has alerted his foreign counterparts to focus on the PKK terror group along with Daesh and al-Qaeda."Every opportunity I have, I raise with foreign counterparts the need not just to focus on ISIS [Daesh] and Al Qaeda but on the full spectrum of terrorist groups, including Iran-backed groups, Hezbollah and also the PKK," Ambassador Nathan A. Sales said during a panel at Washington-based think tank the German Marshall Fund.Describing Washington’s stance on the PKK as "very clear", Sales emphasized that the U.S. had designated the PKK as a terrorist organization way back in 1997."It was actually one of the first organizations that we ever designated along with Hezbollah and Hamas. That’s the company the PKK keeps in the U.S.’ mind," he added.During his speech, Sales also drew attention to the PKK's financing activities, saying the U.S. is doing its best to inhibit the terror group's fundraising efforts in the country."We are also working with other countries that haven’t taken a robust approach to counter the PKK's financing and facilitation," he said.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives, including those of women and children.Listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, it resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015.Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians.
US encouraging its allies to focus on PKK terror group
According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty.
The statement also said Turkish and the U.S. army had conducted 16 separate coordinated patrols in the area between the Operation Euphrates Shield region and Manbij since June 18, when the first patrols by Turkish and U.S. troops in the region began.
The head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Thursday said training for a joint Turkish-American patrol on the frontline of the northern Syrian city of Manbij will soon start."As part of the diplomatic road map, we will soon begin the necessary training to conduct joint combined patrols along portions of the demarcation line in this extremely complex environment," said Gen. Joseph Votel, referring to the Manbij roadmap.Video: Training for joint Turkey-US patrol to start: USThe roadmap which was announced last month after a meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his U.S. counterpart Mike Pompeo, focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from Manbij and stability in the region.The Turkish army on Wednesday conducted its 16th round of patrols in the city as part of the deal with the U.S.Turkish army conducts 16th round of patrols in ManbijIn a written statement, the Turkish General Staff announced forces from both countries coordinated patrols in the region between areas liberated by Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield and Manbij. The first patrols began June 18.Giving details via a teleconference call to reporters at the Pentagon, Votel said the U.S. continues coordinated patrols with Turkey to ensure long-term stability in the city and to implement a diplomatically agreed arrangement that addresses mutual security interests.Turkish airstrikes ‘neutralize’ five terroristsReports of PYD/YPG withdrawal from Manbij dismissedIn a response to a question whether he was advised about any U.S.-Russian agreements and cooperation on Syria as a result of a summit this week between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Votel said CENTCOM had not received new guidance as a result of what happened in Finland.He noted that current laws prohibit coordinating, synchronizing and collaborating with Russian forces – a move that needs approval from Congress."I have not asked for that at this point," he noted, adding that the U.S. continues communication and deconfliction with Russian commanders to ensure safety of American troops and compliance with U.S. international obligations.Turning to Iran’s presence in Syria, Votel said the U.S. does not have a mission that is directly focused on Iran and the only intention the U.S. has right now is to defeat Daesh.When asked whether CENTCOM supports the rapprochement between the YPG/PKK which uses the name of SDF, and the Syrian regime, he said the U.S. does not encourage the group to engage with the regime."But, of course, we do recognize the pragmatic reality that plays out on the ground. That is a fact of life in this particular area," he added.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives, including those of women and children. The PYD/YPG is its Syrian branch.Should the Manbij model prove a success, Turkey will push for a similar arrangement in eastern Syria.Turkey has said the presence of terror forces near its border constitutes a threat and has launched military operations and other efforts to rid the region of terrorists.
Training for joint Turkey-US patrol to start: US
Turkish warplanes destroyed PKK terror targets in northern Iraq as part of an anti-terror operation, the military said on Friday.In a statement, Turkish General Staff said an airstrike was conducted in Avasin-Basyan, Zap and Hakurk regions on Thursday.Weapon emplacements and shelters used by terrorists were destroyed in the airstrike during the operation, the statement added.The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.
Turkish jets destroy PKK terror targets in N Iraq