Turkey’s Military Operations in Syria against ISIS, Kurds Will Continue: Army Chief

Turkey’s Military Operations in Syria against ISIS, Kurds Will Continue: Army Chief
Mon Sep 12, 2016 18:34:49

Turkey’s top military commander says an ongoing offensive in northern Syrian will continue until southern borders are secured and Turkish forces mop "all terrorists" out of the region.

"Our security forces have fought and will continue to fight shoulder-to-shoulder until all terrorists are routed, and our borders are secured," Chief of Staff General Hulusi Akar said on Monday.

Ankara deployed troops and tanks into northern Syria on August 24 in a bid to eradicate Daesh (ISIS / ISIL) and Kurdish militants.

Syria, which is fighting foreign-backed militancy since March 2011, hasdenounced the Turkish incursion as a breach of its sovereignty.

Over the past few months, Syrian forces have managed to liberate several areas, dealing a heavy blow to the Takfiri militants active in the Arab country.

This image shows Turkish military tanks west of the border town of Karkamis, September 3, 2016. (AFP photo)

Akar spoke after visiting troops in the Turkish border town of Karkamis that lies opposite the Syrian town of Jarabulus which Ankara-backed militants took over from Daesh last month.

Turkish tanks stormed the city in a lightening advance after meeting little resistance from Daesh terrorists who had previously put up a stiff resistance to Kurdish fighters.

Analysts say Turkey is using the fight against Daesh as a cover for its real mission, which is purging Syrian border areas of Kurdish militants and establishing a foothold inside Syria.

Turkey is said to be among the main supporters of the militant groups active in Syria.

Reports say Ankara is actively training and arming the Takfiri elements in Syria and facilitating their safe passage into the violence-wracked state, Press TV reported.

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