Turkey to ‘purge’ terror in south with Afrin operation

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA

Turkey will continue to fight terrorism on its southern borders with the operation in the northern Syrian region of Afrin, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.

"In the coming days, God willing, we will continue with Afrin [operation] -- that we started first with Euphrates Shield Operation -- to purge terrorism from our southern borders,” Erdogan said in his speech at the provincial congress meeting of his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party in the central Anatolian Tokat province.

The Afrin operation will follow Turkey's successful seven-month Operation Euphrates Shield, which ended last March.

Erdogan said he also expected support from allies in Turkey’s fight against terrorism.

"We expect from our allies that they behave in accordance with the spirit of our deep-rooted relationship during this process," Erdogan said.

Erdogan hoped that "despite everything", Turkey can cooperate with the U.S. since both countries have "common interests" in the region.

"We expect them to support Turkey's legitimate efforts," the president added.

Erdogan also hoped the allies would not make "mistakes" such as "taking sides with” the terrorist organization during the Afrin operation.

He added Turkey would "resolutely" continue to fight against terrorism, both at home and abroad.

On Saturday, Turkish security forces hit several PKK/PYD targets in the Afrin district of Syria's Aleppo province to prevent a "terror corridor" from forming along Turkey's borders.

According to information gathered by Anadolu Agency in Idlib, the Turkish army fired at least 40 times during the artillery bombardment in Afrin’s five districts including Bosoufane, Jindires Rajo.

The artillery units hit PKK/PYD forces from Turkey's southern province of Hatay.

The PKK/PYD is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. EU.

Since the PKK launched its terror campaign in 1984, an estimated 40,000 people have been killed in Turkey in related violence.