YPG-Assad regime deal reports are ‘propaganda’: Turkey

By Sibel Ugurlu

ANKARA

Turkish presidential spokesman on Tuesday said the reports about an alleged agreement between PYD/YPG terrorist group and Bashar al-Assad regime on Afrin are “apparently propaganda”.

Ibrahim Kalin on his Twitter account said: "The news reports of PYD/YPG agreement with the regime on Afrin are apparently for propaganda purposes. However, it does not mean there are not some secret and dirty bargains.”

He said Turkey’s Operation Olive Branch will continue with determination to attain its objective.

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

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

The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey's rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN charter, and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said.

The military also said only terror targets were being destroyed and that "utmost care" is being taken to not harm civilians.