Interior minister defends Turkey's Syria operation

By Diyar Guldogan and Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA (AA) - The operation to clear territory across the Syrian border of the terrorist threat is Turkey’s “most legitimate right”, Interior Minister Efkan Ala said Wednesday.

Speaking at Anadolu Agency’s Editors’ Desk, the minister said Operation Euphrates Shield, launched early Wednesday against Daesh in the region around the Syrian border city of Jarabulus, was aimed at enhancing the security of Turkey’s southern frontier.

He described the terror threat in the region as “clear and ready”.

“They struck with 9 mortar shells yesterday in Karkamis and another one today,” Ala said, referring to a town just inside the Turkish border. “Turkey cannot be a mere spectator to this.”

Artillery and air strikes were launched against Daesh positions around Jarabulus, which lies near the western bank of the Euphrates River, from around 4 a.m. local time (0100 GMT).

As well as clearing the area of terrorists and boosting security, the operation also seeks to support the territorial integrity of Syria and would continue until the “terror threat at our border is eliminated,” Ala said.

He added: “Terror groups conduct attacks throughout the world but mainly target Turkey. We can say Turkey is at war with terrorist organizations.”