Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has issued a new threat to launch a military incursion into Syria to secure Turkey’s southern border.
Mr Erdogan said the military would aim to create a 30-kilometre safe zone along its border with Syria.
“We will soon take new steps regarding the incomplete portions of the project we started on the 30km deep safe zone we established along our southern border,” Mr Erdogan said.
Mr Erdogan did not provide further details but said the operation would begin after Turkey’s military, intelligence and security forces completed their preparations.
Turkish forces have launched three major incursions into northern Syria, taking control of areas along the border to secure it from threats from ISIS and the Kurdish militia, the People’s Protection Units, or YPG.
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Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is met by the President, Sheikh Mohamed, at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi, as he as he arrives to offers condolences on the death of Sheikh Khalifa. All photos: Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Mr Erdogan offers condolences to Sheikh Mohamed on the death of his brother, the late President Sheikh Khalifa. -
Mr Erdogan offers condolences to Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, National Security Adviser and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. -
Mr Erdogan offers condolences to Sheikh Mansour and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council. -
Mr Erdogan offers condolences to Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation. -
Mr Erdogan offers condolences to Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed, chairman of the board of Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs. -
Mr Erdogan offers condolences to Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office. -
Mr Erdogan offers condolences to Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan, UAE Minister of State. -
Mr Erdogan offers condolences on the death of Sheikh Khalifa. He is pictured with Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Abu Dhabi Executive Council member, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and managing director and group chief executive of Mubadala Investment Company; Hussain Al Hammadi, UAE Minister of Education; Ali Mohamed Hammad Al Shamsi, deputy secretary-general of the Supreme National Security Council; and Dr Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the President. -
Sheikh Mohamed in conversation with Mr Erdogan. -
Mr Erdogan offers condolences to Sheikh Mohamed, seen with Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. -
Mr Erdogan offers condolences to Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Saif on the passing of Sheikh Khalifa.
Turkey views the group as an extension of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which is listed as a terror group by Turkey, the US and the EU.
The PKK has waged an insurgency against Turkey since 1984. Tens of thousands of people have died in the conflict.
Turkey is objecting to Sweden and Finland’s membership in the Nato alliance, because of the two countries alleged support for the PKK and other groups that Turkey views as terrorists, and their decision to impose restrictions on military sales to Turkey after Ankara’s incursion into Syria in 2019.
