UPDATE – Turkey to launch op. east of Euphrates, Syria soon

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM TURKISH PRESIDENT; RE-EDITED THROUGHOUT; REVISED HEADLINE, DECK</p> <p>By Diyar Guldogan</p> <p>ANKARA (AA) – A Turkish operation against separatist terrorism in Syria, east of the Euphrates River, is imminent, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.</p> <p>&quot;We expressed that we will launch an operation east of the Euphrates within a matter of days to save it from a separatist terrorist organization,&quot; said Erdogan, referring to the terrorist PKK/YPG without mentioning it by name.</p> <p>Speaking at a Turkish Defense Industry Summit, Erdogan added that Turkey's target in Syria has never been U.S. troops, but rather the terrorists the U.S. has been working with, against Turkey's strenuous objections.</p> <p>Turkey has long criticized U.S. cooperation with its “reliable” allies the PKK/YPG against Daesh, pointing out that the YPG is the Syrian branch of the PKK, a group recognized as terrorist by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU. </p> <p>Erdogan also criticized newly established U.S. observation posts along Syria’s border with Turkey, saying: &quot;It is clear that the purpose of these U.S. observation posts is not to protect our country from terrorists but to protect terrorists from Turkey.&quot; </p> <p>“Northern Syria is our southern [border],” he explained. “They are striving to form a terror corridor there. We say 'These are terrorists', and our strategic partners, particularly the U.S., say 'They are not terrorists'.</p> <p>&quot;These are branches of the PKK. The evidence is clear. Why are you working with them instead of with us?&quot; </p> <p>Erdogan said that U.S. President Donald Trump had promised to clear the region of terrorist groups within 30 days, adding: &quot;We will see. We hope that they do it.&quot;</p> <p>The president also said Turkey had recently prevented a major humanitarian crisis in Idlib, Syria.</p> <p>He added: &quot;It is time to realize our decision to wipe out terror groups east of the Euphrates.&quot; </p> <p>No Daesh threat remains in Syria, he said.</p> <p>&quot;Despite everything, if we meet on the right grounds, we see the U.S. as our strategic ally that we walk into the future with together,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Turkey and the U.S. should not allow their “deep” disagreements over Syria to prevent major cooperation in the future, he added. </p> <p>A possible mission east of the Euphrates, which Turkey’s leadership has been suggesting for months, would follow two successful cross-border Turkish operations into Syria since 2016 – Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch – both meant to eradicate the presence of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists near Turkey’s borders.</p> <p>In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU — has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.