Deputy PM: 3,755 terrorists 'neutralized' in Afrin op

A total of 3,755 terrorists have been "neutralized" since the start of the Turkish-led Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin region, the Turkish deputy prime minister and government spokesman said on Monday.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.

Speaking after the cabinet meeting in Ankara, Bekir Bozdag said "282 villages, 50 strategic points and 332 locations were taken under control" by the Turkish and Free Syrian army.

Bozdag stated that Turkey’s actions in Afrin were not finished.

Bozdag said no civilian was harmed, stating that the mine and explosive searches continued to provide security for the civilians in the region.

Stating that Turkey was supporting nearly 40,000 civilians in 106 locations in the Afrin region, Bozdag said Turkish organizations such as the Turkish Red Crescent, the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the Diyanet Foundation continued to provide humanitarian aid.

Turkey will continue to provide medical support to the region, Bozdag added.

He also addressed the Turkey-EU Summit held on Monday under the leadership of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, European Council President Donald Tusk and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Varna, Bulgaria.

“We hope that this summit will open a new door, the relationship will gain a new acceleration,” he said.

During the summit, several matters relating to Turkey-EU relations, economy, counterterrorism, foreign policy, Palestine, the Balkans, Syria, Iraq and Libya will be discussed.