Turkish Operation in Syria Aimed at Eliminating Threats From Daesh, Kurds

The aim of Ankara's military operation in Northern Syria is to eliminate threats from Daesh and Kurds, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

ANKARA (Sputnik) — Turkey's operation in northern Syria is aimed at stopping the threats posed by Daesh (banned in Russia) and Kurdish militants, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday.

"We started a military operation in northern Syria at 4 a.m. this morning, aimed at eliminating the threats posed by Daesh and Syrian Kurds," Erdogan said, adding that Turkey intends to put a stop to attacks on Turkish territory from neighboring Syrian regions.

Ankara announced early on Wednesday that Turkish forces, reinforced by US-led coalition aircraft, had begun a military operation to clear the Syrian border town of Jarablus of Daesh militants.

According to media reports, Turkey had notified Russia about its operation to free Syria's Jarablus from the jihadist group.

Local media reported that Turkish tanks had struck 70 Daesh targets by cross-border fire and entered the territory of Syria.

The operation to re-take Jarablus may take 15 days, Turkish broadcaster NTV reported citing military sources.

"Turkey is ready to take joint steps both with the international coalition forces and with Russia," Erdogan said speaking about the situation in Syria.