ANKARA, May 27 (NNN-ANADOLU) – Turkey said yesterday, the military operations carried out on its southern borders are necessary for national security, and do not target the territorial integrity of its neighbours.
“Current and future military operations being conducted on Turkey’s southern borders do not target the territorial integrity of its neighbours, but stem from national security needs, and will contribute to their security as well,” the Turkish National Security Council said in a statement.
The statement came, after a three-hour council meeting, chaired by Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The meeting, attended by relevant ministers and commanders, discussed the operations and investigations against “terrorist groups,” like the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in Syria.
On Monday, Erdogan said, Turkey would soon launch a military operation in northern Syria.
The operation will target the remaining areas of a plan, in which Turkey’s military would create “safe zones at a depth of 30 km” along the country’s southern borders.
Turkey’s forces and the YPG militants often exchange fire in the region, and the clashes have accelerated since early this year.
The PKK, listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for more than three decades. Ankara sees the YPG as the Syrian branch of the PKK.– NNN-ANADOLU
