Turkey rejects Egypt's statement on Afrin operation

By Fatih Hafiz Mehmet

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey on Tuesday rejected Egyptian Foreign Ministry's statement on Operation Olive Branch in Afrin region.

In a written statement, the Foreign Ministry said Turkey was contributing to Syria's territorial integrity by fighting against a separatist terror group.

The allegations about the operation being in violation of civilians' rights and deepening of humanitarian crisis in Syria are unreal, the statement added.

"The operation has paved the way for security and stability by rescuing civilian people from the tyranny of a terror group," the statement said.

Allegations that Operation Olive Branch harms political solution process in Syria are completely untrue, it said.

"The PYD/YPG terrorist organization, which Turkey is fighting, cannot have a role in the political solution process in Syria," it added.

On Monday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry condemned Turkey's military operations in Afrin.

Turkey launched the Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 to clear terrorist groups from Afrin in northwestern Syria amid growing threats posed from the region.

On Sunday, Turkish-backed troops liberated the town of Afrin, which had been a major hideout for the YPG/PKK terrorists since 2012.

According to the Turkish General Staff, Operation Olive Branch has aimed to establish security and stability along Turkey's borders and the region as well as protect Syrians from the cruelty and oppression of terrorists.

It 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, the army said.