Erdogan: Turkey to continue Syria op if US not keep promises

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday (October 18) if the US does not keep its promises after 120 hours, Turkey will resolutely continue its operation in northern Syria.

The safe zone issue will be solved if the US keeps its promises until the end of 120-hour period on Tuesday night, Erdogan told reporters at Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul.

Turkish security forces will not withdraw from northern Syria, he stressed.

Turkey and the US came to an agreement on Thursday to pause Turkey's anti-terror operation in northern Syria.

Turkey agreed to pause its Operation Peace Spring for 120 hours in order to allow the withdrawal of terrorist YPG/PKK forces from the planned safe zone.

Erdogan said that a total of four Turkish soldiers and 74 Syrian National Army fighters were killed during the Operation Peace Spring.

He added that Turkish security forces neutralized nearly 750 YPG/PKK terrorists so far within the scope of the operation.

Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring on Oct. 9 to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity. 

Based on AA