UPDATE - Turkey: Terrorism at home, abroad to be defeated

ADDS MORE REMARKS FROM DEFENSE MINISTER

By Sarp Ozer

AGRI, Turkey (AA) - Turkey will defeat terrorism both inside the country and abroad, said Turkey's national defense minister on Saturday.

Terrorists inside the country were largely neutralized, Hulusi Akar told a group of veterans and martyrs' families in the eastern Agri province, adding that Turkey is committed to putting an end to them.

"We will not allow any terrorist corridor in northern Syria," said Akar, referring to the YPG/PKK, which Turkey has promised to mount an operation against.

"The whole world knows that."

There must be Turkish soldiers in this corridor for the nation's security, he added.

Later today, Akar said that Turkey completed preparations against terrorist targets in Manbij, Syria and east of Euphrates.

Turkey has vowed to carry out a counter-terrorist operation in Manbij, Syria and east of Euphrates following two similar successful operations since 2016.

"Turkish army will not endanger our country in any case," he added.

In its 30-year terrorist campaign, the PKK -- recognized as a terror group by the U.S., EU, and Turkey -- has taken some 40,000 lives, including women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.