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Following Turkey’s successful Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations conducted in Syria, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) have completed all preparations for a possible operation in the east of the Euphrates River to purge the region of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists.
The TAF will conduct a sweeping operation and increase Turkey’s maneuvering area in the region. It is being ascertained that the operation will begin from the Euphrates Shield region as Turkish soldiers enter the Sacu Brook and Ashme and sweep the terrorists. The first aim is to liberate areas between Manbij’s center and the Sacu Brook and the Euphrates. Later, a strategy will be drawn up for the east of the Euphrates.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday said that Turkey saved millions from misery through the stability it maintained in Idlib and will continue doing so.“Turkey saved tens of thousands of people from death, millions from misery, through the stability it maintained in Idlib,” Erdoğan said at the dinner of the 4th International Summit of High Courts.He added that by hosting over 4 million refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and African countries, Turkey “carries the burden and saves the honor of the international community".“We are doing this without any notable assistance of the international community and organizations. As of now we have spent $33 billion only for refugees from Syria,” he said.The president said that in Syria Turkey works on the security and justice systems, which in return paves way for peace.Stating that Turkey’s understanding of justice comes from its history and civilization, he said Ankara continues to fight in the best interests of its brothers and all of humanity.Syrian opposition’s arms removal proves trust in TurkeyFollowing a meeting in Sochi last month between Erdoğan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the two countries agreed to establish the Idlib demilitarized zone.Ankara and Moscow also signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the “stabilization” of Idlib's de-escalation zone, in which acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.Under the deal, opposition groups in Idlib will remain in areas in which they are already present, while Russia and Turkey will conduct joint patrols in the area with a view to preventing renewed fighting.Syria has only just begun to emerge from a devastating conflict that began in 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected ferocity.Plight of stranded Syrians worsens as food blockedTurkey says demilitarized zone in Syria’s Idlib formed, heavy weapons withdrawnLavrov says Idlib demilitarization 'progressing well'
Erdoğan: Turkey to remain in Idlib, help people in need
The People’s Protection Units (YPG), which is the armed wing of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), which is the Syrian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has not left Syria's Manbij, and Turkey will do what is necessary, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Friday.The terrorist group has completed the construction of trenches and embankments in areas surrounding the entire city center as if it has no intention of leaving. "They are now digging trenches in Manbij. What does this mean? It means 'we've prepared the graves, come and bury us'," Erdoğan said at a rally in southern Turkey.US sends 500 trucks of arms to PKK/YPG terrorists in a week"They said they would abandon the area in 90 days, but they haven't. We will do what is necessary."The Manbij deal between Turkey and the U.S. was inked in June this year on the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from the city to stabilize the region, which is in the northeast of the Aleppo province in northern Syria."There is no room for terrorists in Turkey's future," Erdoğan said.Turkish security forces "cause great distress" to terrorist organizations, Erdoğan added.Turkey pledges to launch a military operation against YPG/PKK in the strategically important city on Manbij that lies west of the Euphrates River in northern Syria, as part of Operation Olive Branch. Manbij lies northeast of Aleppo but just south of the Turkish border.Washington has claimed the YPG is a “reliable ally” in the fight against Daesh, while Ankara has pointed to its status as an offshoot of the PKK, a recognized terrorist group which has taken some 40,000 lives in Turkey.The YPG/PKK terror group is also in the midst of a military buildup along Manbij's border with areas liberated by Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield in 2016-2017.Turkish army 'neutralizes' 38 terrorists over past week
Turkey to 'do whatever is necessary' regarding Syria's Manbij: Erdoğan
Proceeding in Manbij within the context of the roadmap signed with US
Regarding Manbij, Turkey will proceed with the U.S. within the context of the roadmap agreed upon between the two countries, which was expected to be completed within a 90-day calendar.
The Manbij deal between Turkey and the U.S. was inked in June this year on the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from the city to stabilize the region, which is in the northeast of the Aleppo province in northern Syria.
Soldiers from Turkey and the U.S. continue joint training on combined patrols in Manbij, northern Syria, the Turkish military said on Sunday.
In the first stage, deploying soldiers to ensure that the area was cleared and secure it with the patrols is on the agenda.
Turkey will root out "terror nests" in east of Euphrates river in Syria soon, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Friday."Hopefully very soon, we will root out terror nests also in east Euphrates with the support of commandos, who are pinned today with badges," Erdogan said at a military ceremony in central Isparta province.Erdoğan said Turkey dealt a major blow to the members of terrorist organizations at home.He added Turkey removed "traitors" in the army after a failed coup attempt staged by Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) on July 15, 2016.FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gülen orchestrated the defeated coup, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.Ankara also accuses FETÖ of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.Speaking about the economy, Erdoğan said Turkey continues to maintain investments and expand its economy."Being exposed to some speculative attacks in the economy recently does not change the fact that we are the world’s 13th largest country in terms of purchasing power parity and ranked 17 in terms of national income," he added.
Turkey will soon destroy terror nests in eastern Euphrates, says Erdoğan
Soldiers from Turkey and the U.S. continue joint training on combined patrols in Manbij, northern Syria, the Turkish military said on Sunday. The Turkish Armed Forces shared on its Instagram account two pictures where Turkish and U.S. soldiers are seen together during training. Earlier this week, Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has announced the beginning of joint training."As of today the Turkish and U.S. Armed Forces began joint training on combined patrolling activities, which will be held in the region, as part of the Manbij Roadmap and Security Principles," Akar told Anadolu Agency. The Manbij deal between Turkey and the U.S. focuses on the withdrawal of terrorist YPG/PKK forces from the city to stabilize the region, which is in the northeast of the Aleppo province in northern Syria.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken 40,000 lives, including many women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.Turkey to 'do whatever is necessary' regarding Syria's Manbij: Erdoğan
Turkey, US train for joint patrols in Syria's Manbij
We could come suddenly overnight, says Erdoğan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also emphasized his determination on the matter saying, “The terrorists outside our borders shouldn’t sleep soundly either, we could suddenly come overnight” for the east of the Euphrates. The president had used this phrase before the previous Euphrates Shield and Afrin operations as well.
Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20, 2018 in Syria’s northwestern region of Afrin to eradicate the area of terrorists belonging to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)’s Syrian offshoot, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), following Turkey’s seven-month Euphrates Shield Operation which succeeded in clearing large swathes of Syrian territory from Daesh.
The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. The PKK has been conducting armed violence in the southeastern part of Turkey since 1984. More than 40,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the three-decade long conflict.