Turkey is gearing up for new military operations following the conclusion of Operation Euphrates Shield in northern Syria, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday.
"The first phase of the Operation Euphrates Shield ended after Syria’s al-Bab was cleared of terrorists. Now we are preparing for new operations against terrorist groups in other regions," Erdogan said during a rally held as part of an opening ceremony of multiple projects in the Black sea province of Trabzon.
Launched in late August last year, and carried out by the support of Free Syrian Army fighters, the operation aimed to improve security, support coalition forces and eliminate the extremist threat along the Turkish border.
Defense Minister Fikri Isik had said Friday that the end of Turkey’s military operation in northern Syria did not not mean threats were over.
"When the need arises and a threat occurs against Turkey's security, Turkey will not hesitate to conduct other operations in order to eliminate this threat," he said.
Turkey regards the Kurdish PYD as a "terrorist" organization but has been an ally of the US in the battle against Daesh.
By Ahmet Sait Akcay
Editor's note: This article has been edited from the source material.
