20 March 2018•Update: 20 March 2018
by Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu
ANKARA
Turkey’s parliament speaker said on Tuesday that the YPG/PKK terror group's dreams in Afrin region had "come to naught."
In a statement, Ismail Kahraman said the Turkish army's success in the Afrin region had filled the Turkish nation with pride.
"Terror groups targeting our state's independence and national integrity, and trying to infiltrate along our borders, were unable to reach their goals despite the support of foreign powers," said Kahraman.
"[The terror group's] dreams came to naught," he said.
Mentioning how the Turkish army used mostly locally produced arms during Operation Olive Branch, Kahraman said: "With the operation, our borders have been secured."
Kahraman stressed that the Turkish army took great sensitivity not to harm civilians during the operation.
"Being crowned with the victory of Operation Olive Branch has filled us with pride," said Kahraman.
On Sunday, Turkish-backed troops liberated the town of Afrin, which had been a major hideout for the YPG/PKK since 2012.
Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 to clear terrorist groups from Afrin in northwestern Syria amid growing threats posed from the region.
According to the Turkish General Staff, Operation Olive Branch aims at establishing security and stability along Turkey's borders and the region as well as protect Syrians from the cruelty and oppression of terrorists.
