Erdogan: Turkey 'not occupying' Syria's Afrin

Afrin operation clearly warns those who do not want to understand Turkey's resolve in fight against terrorism, Erdogan adds

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey is not "occupying" Syria's Afrin with its ongoing Operation Olive Branch, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday.

Addressing the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party’s provincial heads meeting in capital Ankara, Erdogan said: "We are not occupying Afrin. On the contrary, we are trying to make it a liveable place for the real owners while clearing out terrorists from there."

Turkey on Saturday launched Operation Olive Branch to clear PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin, northwestern Syria.

Erdogan said the operation was a "clear warning" to those who did not want to understand Turkey's determination in the fight against terrorism.

He reiterated the ongoing operation was directed "purely and simply" against terrorists.

Erdogan also said at least 343 terrorists had been "neutralized" since the beginning of the operation.

He added Turkey will clear terrorists from Syria's Manbij next.

Kaynak:

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