Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vows to launch ground invasion of northern Syria
3 hours ago
Key points:
Türkiye has launched air strikes on suspected militant targets in northern Syria and Iraq in recent days
The strikes are in retaliation for a November 13 bombing in Istanbul that Ankara blames on Kurdish groups
Türkiye has carried out a series of incursions into Syria since 2016
Türkiye has launched a barrage of air strikes on suspected militant targets in northern Syria and Iraq in recent days, in retaliation for a deadly November 13 bombing in Istanbul that Ankara blames on the Kurdish groups.
The groups have denied involvement in the bombing and say Turkish strikes have killed civilians and threatened the fight against the Islamic State group.
Ankara's allies, particularly Russia, have attempted to avert a ground incursion. However, Mr Erdogan said on Wednesday in a speech to his ruling party's legislators that the air operations were "just the beginning".
He said Türkiye was determined to "close down all of our southern borders … with a security strip that will prevent the possibility of attacks on our country".
Türkiye has carried out a series of incursions into Syria since 2016 and already controls parts of northern Syria.
A smoke rises from an oil depot struck by Turkish air force.
Türkiye has launched airstrikes on suspected Kurdish targets in northern Syria.(AP: Baderkhan Ahmad)
Mr Erdogan said the new military offensive, planned to take place "at the most convenient time for us" would target the regions of Tel Rifaat, Manbij and Kobani, which is also known by its Arabic name Ayn Al Arab.
"The day is near when those concrete tunnels which the terrorists use for safety will become their graves," he said.
The commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in north-east Syria, meanwhile, said his group was prepared to repel a Turkish ground invasion.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.abc.net.au/article/101691884
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