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Turkish President discusses Operation Peace Spring

24 October 2019 22:54 (UTC +04:00)

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday evening discussed Operation Peace Spring in Syria in an interview with broadcaster TRT, APA reports.

President Erdoğan explained that Turkey called the operation Peace Spring because of the many springs surrounding Ras al-Ayn and Ayn al-Arab (Kobani).

He noted that the ringleader of the People's Protection Units (YPG) Ferhat Abdi Şahin (Mazloum Kobani) is wanted with an Interpol red notice, adding that the U.S. should hand him over to Turkey.

Erdoğan also criticized leaders and politicians from Germany, France and the U.S. who have meet with the terrorist organization members.

In regard to U.S. President Donald Trump, Erdoğan said Trump is "sincere" in their conversations.

"He has acted as honestly as possible up to this point in our personal relationship. I will visit the U.S. now that there is a positive atmosphere between our countries," he said, referring to a visit to Washington planned for Nov. 13. The two leaders will discuss recent developments in northern Syria and bilateral ties during the visit.

"We do not have a problem with Kurds, they are our brothers. The problem for us are the terrorist groups," Erdoğan reiterated.

Erdoğan said that Turkey will create an observation area near Manbij in northeastern Syria. "We already have established a peace corridor 10 kilometers deep into Syria from Tal Abyad to Jarablus," he said.

Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring, the third in a series of cross-border anti-terror operations in northern Syria targeting terrorists affiliated with Daesh and the PKK's Syrian offshoot the YPG, on Oct. 9 at 4 p.m.

On Tuesday, Turkey reached an agreement with Russia on a 10-point plan to create a terror-free safe zone in northern Syria and they reiterated their commitment to the political unity and territorial integrity of Syria.

According to the agreement, PKK/YPG terrorists will pull back 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from Turkey's border within 150 hours and security forces from Turkey and Russia will conduct joint patrols there.