LOC10:43
07:43 GMT
ISTANBUL, Oct 15 (KUNA) -- The Turkish Defense Ministry said Tuesday its troops neutralized at least 595 militants of the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) and People's Protection Units (YPG), since the launch of Operation 'Peace Spring' eastern Euphrates River in Syria.
On October 9, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared his country's troops launched the operation against the PKK, YPG and the so-called Islamic State (IS) in Syria with the aim to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria in order to secure Turkey's borders, pave the way for voluntary return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria's territorial integrity.
However, the step has been widely condemned by a significant number of countries. (end)
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