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Turkish army hits IS and PYD targets in Northern Syria

Xinhua, August 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

Turkish army howitzers stationed inside Turkey shelled Islamic States (IS) targets in Syria's Jarablous and the PKK's Syrian wing in northern Manbij late Monday, a Turkish official told Turkish Daily Sabah.

An official said that Turkey is taking military precautions regarding the developments in Jarablous and that the prime target was IS itself, not PYD, adding said that the presence of IS or the Syrian wing of the PKK in the Syrian town on the Turkish border was "unacceptable."

The official also said that the U.S.-led anti-IS coalition forces were informed about the Turkish strike on PYD targets in Manbij.

The Turkish military launched artillery strikes on IS and PYD positions in north Syria, hitting the targets about 20 times "to open a corridor for an operation".

Ankara has frequently voiced its concern over People's Protection Units(YPG) activity, the armed wing of the PYD, along the Turkish border and has been rigid in its stance to not allow the PYD militant group to found any de facto Kurdish state in northern Syria.

Turkey claims the PYD enjoys close connections with the PKK, including militant and ammunition support through underground tunnels.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Cavusoglu has said in a press conference in Ankara with the earlier on Monday IS militants must be totally pushed from the Syrian border region, as reports suggest that Syrian rebels are preparing to launch an attack to seize a town from the jihadists on the border with Turkey.

"Our border must be completely cleansed of IS," Cavusoglu said on Aug. 22, speaking within hours of suicide bomb attack killed at least 54 people and wounded nearly 70 others at a Kurdish wedding party in the southeastern border province of Gaziantep.

Turkish PM Binali Yildirim stated on Monday that Ankara clearly focused on the unity of Syria and protection of its territorial integrity while not allowing a new structuring that would provide advantage for any ethnic group.

The PM Also said turning a new page in Syria was vital as well as the formation of a government representing all Syrians. Endit