The Turkish armed forces have neutralized more than 250 terrorists during military operations in Syria and Iraq, Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Wednesday, TASS reports.
"Operation Claw Sword continues with shellings being carried out by air and ground forces. To date, during the operation, 471 targets have been hit and 254 terrorists neutralized," he told the media in Ankara.
Turkey will continue to conduct operations in neighboring countries in order to retaliate "for every drop of blood of children, teachers and citizens who lost their lives" as a result of attacks in the country.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that his country, in the event of a new cross-border operation, will drive terrorists out of the Syrian cities of Kobane, Manbij and Tall Rifaat.
"We have already formed part of a safe corridor with the help of cross-border operations. We will deal with the rest step by step. We will clear Tall Rifaat, Manbij, and Ain al-Arab (Kobane - TASS)", Erdogan told parliament on Wednesday.
Since 2017, Turkey has conducted three military operations in northern Syria: in Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch and Peace Spring. As a result, a buffer security zone was created between the cities of Aazaz and Jerablus, north of Aleppo. Afrin was occupied, and border areas east of the Euphrates were put under control. On Tuesday, Erdogan said Turkey might launch a cross-border ground operation in northern Syria soon against the forces of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the People's Defense Units based there, which Ankara regards as terrorist.
The Turkish air operation codenamed Claw Sword began on November 20. Over 50 aircraft and 20 drones are involved. Artillery provided support on the ground. The strikes were carried out against the bases of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its wing in Syria - the People's Defense Units - banned in Turkey. The Turkish Defense Ministry said that the operation had been successfully carried out in northern Iraq in the areas of Qandil, Asos and Hakurk, as well as near Arap-Pynary, Tall Rifaat, Cizre and Derik in northern Syria.
According to Turkish media reports, Turkish F-16 fighters resumed strikes on targets in Syria on November 21 and 22 after Turkish border towns came under fire from Syrian territory.
