Turkey’s deputy PM slams EP’s anti-Afrin operation move

By Sinan Uslu

ANKARA

Turkey’s deputy prime minister on Friday rebuffed a European Parliament motion urging Turkey to stop its counter-terrorist operation in Afrin, Syria, slamming it as “null and void.”

“The EP’s decision is null and void for Turkey. Just because EP took this decision doesn’t mean Turkey will give up the fight against terrorism,” Bekir Bozdag posted on Twitter.

“Operation Olive Branch will continue until peace, security, and stability are established in the region and the last terrorist is out of Afrin,” he added.

On Thursday, the European Parliament drafted a motion calling on Turkey to withdraw its troops from Syria's Afrin region.

Bozdag said that those who see the future of Europe as allied to terrorist groups are doing great harm to the EU, European Parliament, and the people of Europe.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists from Afrin, near Turkey’s border.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty.

The military also said only terror targets are being destroyed and that the "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming civilians.