Burak Bir
October 14, 2019•Update: October 14, 2019
ANKARA
Ras al-Ayn and Tal Abyad town are "under control", Turkey's defense minister said on Monday.
"Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ayn are under control, our efforts regarding the safety in the region continue," Hulusi Akar told reporters in Turkish capital Ankara.
Akar also said Turkey not only fights against YPG, but also all terrorist organizations especially Daesh.
"Our fight [on Operation Peace Spring] is not only against YPG, but against all terrorist organizations especially Daesh. Terrorists are our only target."
On Oct. 9, Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.
Ankara wants to clear northern Syria east of the Euphrates River of the terrorist PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the PYD/YPG.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union -- has been responsible for deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.
