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Turkey declares end of Euphrates Shield operation in Syria

Xinhua, March 29, 2017 Adjust font size:

Euphrates Shield operation launched by Turkish military in north of Syria has come to an end, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced on late Wednesday.

"From now on, if we take action against Islamic State (IS) or anything else that threatens our security, there will be a new operation," Yildirim said during an interview with private broadcaster NTV.

Asked about a possible Raqqa operation against the IS terrorist group and the stance of the new U.S. administration, Yildirim said Turkey had not been officially informed of the upcoming plans yet.

"However, we had the impression from the recent developments that they (the Trump administration) have been following the previous administration," Yildirim added.

The prime minister said the issue would be brought up during the talks with the U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who will pay his first visit to Ankara after he took his office.

It was not appropriate for an ally of Turkey, the United States, to provide weapons to terrorist organizations, Yildirim stressed.

Ankara launched Operation Euphrates Shield in north of Syria with Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army forces on Aug. 24, 2016, aiming at clearing its border with Syria of terrorists, including IS and the Syrian Kurdish militants. Endit