All Turkey’s preparations for an upcoming military operation in Syria are complete, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Tuesday.
“The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) have completed all their preparations within the scope of their duties. Everything is ready.
“When the time comes, all the necessary actions in Manbij and east of the Euphrates River in Syria will be taken,” he said.
A possible mission east of the Euphrates, which Turkey’s leadership has been suggesting for months, would follow two successful cross-border Turkish operations into Syria since 2016 – Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch – both meant to eradicate the presence of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists near Turkey’s borders.
The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. The YPG and PYD are its Syrian extensions.
