“Our operation in Idlib is nearly complete. Ahead of us is Afrin. These are threats to us and we will never make concessions to such threats,” Erdoğan told the parliamentary group of his Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Oct. 24, Hurriyet Daily reported.
Turkey launched the operation in Idlib on Oct. 8 as part of the three-way Astana Process deal with Russia and Iran aiming to establish de-escalation zones in Syria. The army had announced on Oct. 13 that it had set its first observation spot in the neighboring country, the first of an expected total 14 spots to monitor the ongoing ceasefire between the Syrian regime and opposition groups.
“We have always said ‘We could come suddenly one night.’ Indeed, we could hit suddenly one night,” Erdoğan said, using a phrase that has become popular among Turkish nationalists.
He also repeated his strongly worded criticisms against the United States over its support to the YPG, implying that the group has taken control of oil wells in southern Syria with the help of the US.
Publish Date: 24 October 2017 - 17:05
TEHRAN, Oct. 24 (MNA) – The Turkish Armed Forces’ (TSK) operation in Syria’s Idlib province is almost complete and the next military offensive could target Afrin, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said, referring to the canton of Syria under the control of the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG).