West of Syria's Tal Abyad cleared of PKK

TAL ABYAD, SYRIA - OCTOBER 13: Turkey-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) fighters seize YPG/PKK's so-called Department of Public Affairs in Syria's Tal Abyad district as Operation Peace Spring continues on October 13, 2019. The western part of Syria's Tal Abyad district was cleared of YPG/PKK terrorists on Sunday during Turkey's ongoing military operation, security sources said. Turkey-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) rebels fighting on the frontline made heavy gains in the western part of the district, said the sources close to group who asked not to be named due to fear of reprisal. In the eastern and southern parts of the city center, violent clashes continue between SNA fighters and the YPG/PKK. SNA seized YPG/PKK's so-called Department of Public Affairs in the clashes. Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity. Ankara wants to clear east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria of the terrorist group PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the PYD/YPG. In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. (Footage by Omer Alven&Bekir Kasim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)