Merve Aydoğan
February 17, 2018•Update: February 17, 2018
By Merve Aydogan
ANKARA
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said Turkey's ongoing operation in northwestern Syria is getting closer to "victory" with each passing day.
Erdogan addressed a large crowd prior to the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party’s provincial congress in the central province of Afyonkarahisar.
He said: "We are getting closer to victory with each passing day."
Reiterating the aim of repatriating 3 million Syrian refugees, currently in Turkey, to their homes safely, Erdogan said the military had advanced 300 square kilometres during the operation.
On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin.
According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty.
The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey's rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN charter, and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said.
The military also said only terror targets were being destroyed and that "utmost care" is being taken to not harm civilians.
