"This operation will be launched, will be done, all the terrorist lines in the north of Syria, the assets will be removed. There is no other choice," said National Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli related to Afrin operation.

Speaking at A-News, "Afrin operation will be launched. We mature the conditions for the operation. This operation will be carried out. However, time is part of planning the clock completely in relation to the necessity of the operation, related to the most effective and most successful execution of the operation. So necessary steps are taken in that frame. All the terrorist lines in northern Syria will be removed. There is no other choice," said Minister Canikli.

Commenting on the U.S. State Department spokeswoman Nauert that she said "We call on Turkiye to not take such a step," Canikli said that such explanation is "'empty and meaningless assessment."

Canikli said, "Once, DEASH is over. The biggest threat is DEASH, so everybody should determine all their policies towards DEASH and act accordingly" is a very meaningless, vain meaning. The threat of DAESH has now been abolished both in Syria and in Iraq. It is a very meaningless explanation to say 'focus on DAESH' as it is still ' centered while there is a fact like this."

ILKHA