Turkish president receives US vice president

By Ferdi Turkten

ANKARA (AA) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday received U.S. Vice President Mike Pence at the Presidential Complex in the capital Ankara.

The meeting started at 3.40 p.m. (1240GMT).

The two are expected to discuss Turkey’s ongoing anti-terror operation in northern Syria.

Pence arrived in Ankara earlier today leading a delegation including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

Ankara wants to clear northern Syria east of the Euphrates River of the terrorist PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the YPG.

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

*Writing by Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak