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Erdogan: Turkey to Lay Siege to Syria’s Afrin in Coming Days

Erdogan: Turkey to Lay Siege to Syria’s Afrin in Coming Days
folder_openEurope... access_time6 years ago
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that his country will lay siege to Afrin in northern Syria, after Ankara launched an offensive against Kurdish militia in the region.

Erdogan: Turkey to Lay Siege to Syria’s Afrin in Coming Days

"In the coming days, swiftly, we will lay siege to the center of the town of Afrin," Erdogan told the parliament.

His remarks came as Turkey's operation "Olive Branch", a ground and air offensive against the People's Protection Units [YPG] militia which Ankara brands "terrorists", entered its second month.

"We did not go there to burn it down," he said, insisting the operation's aim was to "create a safe and livable area" for the Syrian refugees inside Turkey, who fled across the border since the conflict began in 2011 and who now number more than three million.

The UK-based so-called "Syrian Observatory for Human Rights" monitor said at least 94 civilians have been killed during Turkey's offensive.

But Ankara has repeatedly insisted there have been no civilian casualties, saying its armed forces are showing utmost care not to harm civilians.

The PKK is blacklisted as a terror group by Ankara and its Western allies.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

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