Trump responded positively to Turkish op east of Euphrates

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday (Dec. 17) he told his US counterpart Donald Trump that terrorists must leave the region east of the Euphrates River in Syria, reiterating that a Turkish operation there could begin at any moment, DS reported.

"If they don't go, we will send them," he said, speaking at the Mevlana Square in central Konya province at an opening ceremony for new facilities and projects.

"The terror corridor is disturbing us. Since we are partners with the US, we must do this," he said.

Erdogan said US President Trump gave a positive response to Turkey's operation.

He called on the US to uphold its agreement made in the Manbij deal to clear the PKK's Syrian affiliate People's Protection Units (YPG) from the region.

"Our fight against terrorism in the Syrian territory will continue until a political solution is opened," Erdogan said.

Erdogan last week announced an imminent Turkish operation east of the Euphrates River, and on Monday, he said Turkey has begun to take action toward that operation.

He reiterated Monday that the operation will not harm US soldiers.