Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues to threaten Kurdish militias in northern Syria with a ground offensive. “The operations we are carrying out with our aircraft, guns and armed drones are just the beginning,” the 86-year-old said in a speech to party members on Wednesday. Erdogan also promised a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad.
Die Turkey had broken diplomatic relations with Damascus under Erdogan. After more than 11 years of civil war, Assad’s supporters have regained control of about two-thirds of the country. The ruler receives support from Russia and Iran, among others. As early as August, Erdogan spoke out for reconciliation between the Syrian opposition and supporters of ruler Assad – what many saw as a sea change in Ankara.
State Secretary of Defense: ‘Operation continues’
According to its own statements, the Turkish army has attacked 471 targets since the start of the most recent military offensive in Iraq and Syria. In total, “254 terrorists were neutralized,” Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Wednesday. “The operation will continue with airstrikes and ground guns,” Akar said. He gave no information about possible civilian casualties. His statements could not be independently verified.
Die Turkey is more determined than ever to secure its southern border with a security corridor, Erdogan stressed. However, the territorial integrity of Syria, as well as that of Iraq, will be taken into account.
The Turkish government linked its airstrikes more than a week ago to an attack on Istanbul’s Istiklal shopping street. She sees the YPG and PKK as masterminds behind the attack, but both have denied it. The investigation is still ongoing, the exact circumstances of the crime are unclear.
Source: Krone
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