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Conflict in Syria

Turkish armed forces to continue operation in Syria's Afrin

The Turkish defense minister says the operation will continue until the terrorist threat in the region is eliminated

© EPA-EFE/SEDAT SUNA

MOSCOW, April 10. /TASS/. Turkey’s Armed Forces will continue the military operation in Syria’s Afrin until the terrorist threat in the region is completely eliminated, Turkish Minister of National Defense Nurettin Canikli said on Tuesday.

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Syrian ambassador slams Turkey’s operation in Afrin as ‘blatant violation of sovereignty’

"Turkey will continue to take measures in Syria’s Afrin until the terrorist threat is completely eliminated," the Haberturk TV channel quoted him as saying.

On January 20, Turkey’s General Staff announced the launch of Operation Olive Branch against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and forces of the Democratic Union Party in Syria’s Afrin area, where about 1.5 mln Syrian Kurds and refugees from Syria’s other regions reside. The YPG, the main target of the Turkish operation, are the attack force of the Syrian Democratic Forces supported by the United States. Kurdish units were the most effective force taking part in the ground operations against the Islamic State terror group (outlawed in Russia). Ankara considers the YPG and DUP to be terrorist organizations.

On March 18, Turkey’s General Staff announced that the army had taken control of the city of Afrin, while on March 24, the Turkish Defense Ministry claimed to have seized control of the entire Afrin region in northwestern Syria.

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