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Presidential spokesman: Turkey not to give up on rightful cause despite threats

16 October 2019 21:50 (UTC +04:00)

Turkey will not give up on its rightful cause despite sanction threats or condemnations on its ongoing anti-terror operation in northern Syria, the country's presidential spokesman said on Wednesday, APA reports citing Anadolu Agency.

"Neither sanction threats nor condemnations can deter us from our rightful cause," said Ibrahim Kalin.

On Oct. 9, Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria to secure its borders by eliminating terrorist elements and to ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees and Syria’s territorial integrity.

The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions Monday on two Turkish ministries and three senior government officials over Turkey’s anti-terror operation in northern Syria.

However, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey will remain undeterred despite the sanctions.

Kalin stressed that Turkey's ongoing operation will continue without slowing down until it reaches its aims.

"It is time to put an end to the domination of YPG/PKK [terrorists] in Syria with regards to its territorial integrity, political unity and social balance," he added.

Kalin reiterated that Turkey is not eyeing Syria’s territory.

"Neither Turkey nor Operation Peace Spring harmed the demographic structure there [in northern Syria]. YPG/PKK itself harmed the demographic structure," he added.

Ankara wants to eliminate terrorist elements of the PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the YPG, from the region.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.