Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 25
By Rufiz Hafizoglu – Trend:
The ‘Shield of the Euphrates’ operation of the Turkish Air Force and Armed Forces in Syria is not directed against the statehood or the territorial integrity of Syria, the Turkish presidential administration told Trend by phone Aug. 25.
According to the administration, the purpose of the ‘Shield of the Euphrates’ operation is to cleanse the Syrian-Turkish border from terrorist organizations, including the “Islamic State” (IS, ISIL, ISIS or Daesh).
"Turkey takes actions for its safety," the administration said.
The administration also stressed that Turkey adheres to a clear policy towards Syria, that is, it is necessary to prevent any threat from terrorist organizations.
According to the administration, Turkey does not distinguish the IS terrorists or the militants of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) and the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD).
On Aug. 24 morning, the Turkish Air Force with the support of the coalition aircraft launched an operation to liberate the city of Jarabulus from the IS militants in northern Syria, near Aleppo city.
The operation was carried out under the name “Shield of the Euphrates.”
Earlier, it was reported that Turkish tanks entered Syria. Syria has been suffering from an armed conflict since March 2011, which, according to the UN, has so far claimed over 500,000 lives.
Militants from various armed groups are confronting the Syrian government troops. The “Islamic State” (IS, ISIL, ISIS or Daesh) is the most active terrorist group in Syria.
---
Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu