Publish Date: 10 October 2019 - 10:03

TEHRAN, Oct. 10 (MNA) – Turkish troops are continuing their advance into northern Syria following a ground offensive launched as part of the so-called Operation Peace Spring, the Defense Ministry said early on Oct. 10.

"Our heroic commandos who are participating in Operation Peace Spring continue to advance [into the region] east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria," the ministry said on Twitter.

Turkey launched the operation on Oct.9 claiming to secure its borders by eliminating terrorist elements and to ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees and Syria’s territorial integrity.