Turkish FM: Syrian operation is to clear Daesh

The aim of Turkey’s Syria military operation is to clear Daesh from the southern border, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a news conference in Ankara alongside his Estonian counterpart Marina Kaljurand, Cavusoglu said the terror group targeted the country because Turkey “is one of the most decisive countries in the fight against Daesh”.

Cavusoglu’s remarks came as Turkish tanks crossed the border into northern Syria as part of operations to clear Daesh terrorists from the city of Jarabulus.

This ground intervention followed Turkey’s shelling of northern Syria, hitting 81 targets almost 300 times from 4.00 a.m. on Wednesday.

Cavusoglu said the Turkish Armed Forces’ activities were continuing “without a hitch”, adding: “We are working together with the coalition regarding air support.”

Turkish officials are blaming Daesh for Saturday’s deadly blast at a wedding ceremony in south-eastern province of Gaziantep which left 54 people dead.

Wednesday’s anti-Daesh operation, called Euphrates Shield, aims to support U.S.-led coalition forces, strengthen Turkey’s border security by clearing away terrorist groups and maintain Syria’s territorial integrity.

Cavusoglu also said the YPG – the military wing of the PYD terrorist group – must return to east of the Euphrates River, adding: “The U.S. also supports this. Otherwise, I am saying very clearly that we will do what is necessary.”