ANKARA, Jun 5 (NNN-ANADOLU) – Türkiye will address its security concerns in northern Syria with a new cross-border operation, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, yesterday.
Erdogan made the announcement, in an address to his party members in the capital, Ankara, noting, the new operation will make up for the “shortcomings” of the security line on its southern borders.
The Türkiye military “destroyed the terror corridor” that Syria’s Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) aimed to build, he said, referring to Türkiye’s four previous operations in northern Syria along the border.
The Türkiye army launched Operation Euphrates Shield in 2016, Operation Olive Branch in 2018, Operation Peace Spring in 2019, and Operation Spring Shield in 2020, in northern Syria. The authorities say, the operations aim to eliminate terror threats and provide a safe zone that will facilitate the return of Syrian refugees to their homes.
On Wednesday, Erdogan said, Türkiye’s planned new military operation in Syria will target the YPG in Tell Rifaat and Manbij areas, near the northern city of Aleppo, before gradually extending to other parts of the neighbouring country.
The PKK, listed as a terrorist organisation by Türkiye, has been rebelling against the government for more than 30 years. Ankara sees the YPG as Syria’s branch of the PKK.– NNN-ANADOLU
