Turkey in Syria for regional peace: AK Party official

GAZIANTEP, Turkey

Turkey’s presence in Syria is meant to bring regional peace and tranquility, said a senior official from the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party Sunday.

"No one should be concerned about Turkey's presence in Syria," Erol Kaya, the party's vice chair, said while visiting the northern Syrian city of Jarabulus.

"We are there to reconstruct [damaged and destroyed places] and to enable safe resettlement of the people of the region."

Pointing to Turkey’s ongoing efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Jarabulus, he said a number of Turkish-based NGOs have done "great work" in the crisis-hit region.

Fatma Sahin, mayor of the southern city of Gaziantep, who accompanied Kaya during his visit, agreed with him, saying that only a few months after the Syrian city was liberated, the municipal services provided in Jarabulus are similar to those provided in her city.

There is ongoing infrastructure and superstructure work, the garbage is collected, the streets and sidewalks are cleaned, and drinking water is supplied, said the mayor.

The two also visited Jarabulus Hospital, which was established by Turkey's Health Ministry.

After Jarabulus was rid of Daesh elements as part of Turkey’s ongoing Operation Euphrates Shield, tens of thousands of Syrians returned to the city to rebuild their lives in peace and safety.

Kaya said many Syrian people have expressed gratitude to Turkey for ridding the city of terrorist elements.

He stressed Turkey's determination to fight terrorism, saying, "Turkey will continue to act as a dove of peace in the region."

Turkey launched Operation Euphrates Shield to clear northern Syria of terrorists on Aug. 24. It has seen opposition fighters backed by Turkish special forces, artillery, armor and warplanes remove Daesh from the border region.

Reporting by Mehmet Akif Parlak; Writing by Ayşe Hümeyra Atılgan;