YPG/PKK’s terror structure in region east of Euphrates

The YPG/PKK terrorist group continues its efforts to form a state in the region east of the Euphrates River in Syria, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said a military operation will be launched soon.

The terror group has changed the population structure of the area and has taken under control the country’s richest energy resources, agricultural lands and water resources.

YPG/PKK is increasing its level of threat with thousands of armed men.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.

On Wednesday, Erdogan announced that an operation to clear east of Euphrates river of the YPG/PKK terrorists will start in a few days.

The terror group has occupied the region east of the Euphrates, which shares a 480-kilometer-long (298 miles) border with Turkey.

Turkish provinces of Sanliurfa, Mardin and Sirnak border the region.

The region east of Euphrates spreads to more than 45,000 square kilometers (17,374 square miles).

According to Anadolu Agency's map calculations, the area forms one third of Syrian territories.

Since October 2014, the YPG/PKK has occupied territories located east of the Euphrates with an intensive support of the U.S., which provided arms to the terror group and bombed Daesh targets.