Turkey begins military operation in Syria

Ankara Jan 21 (IANS) Turkish Foreign Ministry has informed the ambassadors of Iran Russia and the US in Ankara about a military operation launched by Turkey s army in Afrin in Syria a ministry official said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also held a phone conversation with US counterpart Rex Tillerson in the wake of the announcement of the air strikes on Saturday by Turkish Air forces at Washington s request the official told Xinhua news agency on the condition of anonymity.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Saturday the military operation in Syria s Afrin has "actively" started.

Turkey is determined to ensure its national security and to clear its borders of the People s Protection Units (YPG) which is considered by Ankara as the Syrian affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Turkish war jets have been hitting the YPG positions in Afrin on Saturday after days of shelling from the border.

The Turkish Army stated that the operation is named "Olive Branch".

--IANS
pgh/