Turkey: Opposition criticizes planned N Syria operation

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) criticized on Monday the country's planned operation east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria.

"The military operation to be performed in northern and eastern Syria will not bring tranquility, peace and democracy to this region," Hakki Saruhan Oruc, deputy group chair of HDP, told journalists in the parliament.

The solution for the region could be found "with democracy, human rights and rule of law," Oruc said.

The existence of different ethnic and religious groups should also be secured in the region, he added.

"A democratic regime should be formed for the territorial integrity of Syria," said Oruc, and added: "The territorial integrity of Syria could not be provided with safe zone".

Since 2016, Turkey’s Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations in northwestern Syria have liberated the region from YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists, making it possible for Syrians who fled the violence to return home.

Turkey has long decried the threat from terrorists east of the Euphrates in northern Syria, pledging military action to prevent the formation of a "terrorist corridor" there.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. YPG is the Syrian branch of the terrorist organization PKK.