Defence Minister Hulusi Akar says Ankara carried 147 major counter-terrorism operations, and air strikes destroyed 922 targets including arms depots and shelters used by terrorists.
(AA)
Hulusi Akar said the Turkish air strikes also destroyed 922 targets which include ammunition depots and shelters used by the terrorists.
Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralised" in their statements to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.
Turkish Chief of General Staff Yasar Guler, Land Forces Commander Umit Dundar, Air Forces Commander Hasan Kucukakyuz and Naval Forces Commander Adnan Ozbal also accompanied Akar.
'This process will continue'
Following his visit, Akar held a telephone conversation with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"You made history in [Syria's] Jarablus and Afrin cities and I know this process will continue like this after that," Erdogan told Akar during the phone call.
In the last two years, Turkey has successfully carried out two counter-terrorist operations in Syria –– Operations Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch –– to eradicate the presence of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists near Turkey's borders, and a third one is expected, east of the Euphrates River.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK –– listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and the EU –– has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children.
The YPG is its Syrian branch.Source: trtworld.com
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