Operation Olive Branch to create 30-kilometer-deep safe zone
Operation Olive Branch aims to create 30-kilometer-deep (approx. 19 miles) safe zone in northwestern Afrin region of Syria, Turkish prime minister said Sunday.
Tanks are transported to Hatay, Turkey as part of the "Operation Olive Branch" on January 21, 2018. Anadolu Agency
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim speaks at a meeting with media representatives at Vahdettin Mansion in Istanbul, Turkey on January 21, 2018.
Operation Olive Branch aims to create 30-kilometer-deep (approx. 19 miles) safe zone in northwestern Afrin region of Syria, Turkish prime minister said Sunday.
“First goal [of the operation] is to create a safe area there and then we can take concrete steps to eliminate terrorist elements,” Binali Yildirim told media representatives in Istanbul.
He said there are 8,000-10,000 terrorists in Afrin and Turkey would clear all the terrorists on its borders.
Yildirim said Russia, the U.S. and Iran were informed about Turkish plan ahead of the operation.
“There is confusion in U.S. [regarding the operation]. Everyone speaks different things,” he said, adding that they also did not voice a firm opposition to the operation.
Source: AA
