Condemnations from other countries and sanction threats won't make Turkey halt its counterterrorism operation in Syria, Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalın said, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah.
"Neither sanction threats nor condemnations can deter us from our rightful cause," Kalın told reporters after a cabinet meeting at the presidential complex in Ankara.
Kalın also said that Turkey will retaliate in kind to sanctions after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Ankara over its operation in northeastern Syria.
"Turkey will not leave this unanswered," he said, vowing a stronger response.
Kalın underscored that U.S. officials were clearly told Turkey would not declare a ceasefire in northern Syria and that it will not negotiate with terrorists.
"YPG terrorists are destroying the demographic structure in Syria, not Turkey or Operation Peace Spring. It is about time to end YPG's dominance for the sake of Syria's territorial integrity, political unity and sociological balance," Kalın said.
"While Turkey is hosting around 4 million Syrians, it is taking care of around 3 million others in Syria, equaling to 1/3 of the total population. Is there any other country doing this?" he asked.
Kalın stressed that Turkey's ongoing operation will continue without slowing down until it reaches its aims.
"We are absolutely determined to clear east of Euphrates from terrorists as we did in Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations," he said.