Turkey condemns statement of Portuguese parliament

By Kubra Chohan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey on Friday condemned a statement of the Portuguese parliament as "unfounded allegations that are far from reality" against the Turkish military-led Operation Olive Branch in northwestern Syria.

“It is regrettable that the Portuguese Parliament has allowed itself to become an instrument for a terrorist organization’s propaganda. Evidently written in ideological blindness detached from reality, this statement will have no other effect than tarnishing the reputation of the Portuguese Parliament,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry called on the parliament to show solidarity with Turkey instead of terrorism, and not to ignore the fact that Turkey fought without harming civilians.

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 to 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 are being destroyed and that "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming civilians.