Turkey May Launch Ground Operation in Syria at Any Moment: Spokesman


Turkey May Launch Ground Operation in Syria at Any Moment: Spokesman

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Turkish presidential spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, said in an interview with the national press that Ankara may launch ground operations in northern Syria and Iraq if it deemed necessary.

"The time, scale and boundaries of the operations of the Turkish Armed Forces are determined by Ankara... The operation can begin tomorrow, next week, even later, at any time. The situation is being assessed by the Turkish military and intelligence," Kalin said.

He added that Ankara coordinated its actions with Moscow during the air operation in the region.

"These issues are being discussed regarding our plans for air force operations. How did we enter the airspace in Tell Rifaat? We discussed this (with Russia), coordinated our actions. We plan, discuss, coordinate, act," Kalin said, Sputnik reported.

The spokesman also stressed that his country continues to maintain dialogue with Damascus.

"We maintain contact with Syria at the level of intelligence directorates, the head of our intelligence is discussing coordination with the Syrian (counterpart) within the framework of our needs," he said.

Previously, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised the air operation against Kurdish forces in the region as a success, warning that it was "just a beginning".

Turkey has been targeting Kurdish militant groups in Syria and Iraq with air strikes since November 20, following a fatal bomb attack in Istanbul. Ankara pledged to continue its operations against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), as well as the People's Defense Units (YPG) in Syria, which are considered to be terrorist organizations by Turkish authorities.

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