Director of Turkish Presidency communications, Fahrettin Altun stated the PKK/PYD-YPG attacks targeting members of the media following the operation to the east of the Euphrates near the Turkish-Syrian border.

"The terrorist organization PKK/PYD-YPG has repeatedly attacked journalists covering Operation Peace Spring in an attempt to cover up the truth," wrote Altun on Twitter, adding that the press corps, like the people of northeastern Syria, will breathe a sigh of relief as Turkey removes terrorists from its borders.

The statement of Fahrettin Altun is in follows:

The terrorist organization PKK/PYD-YPG has carried out a series of sniper attacks against journalists covering Operation Peace Spring near the Turkish-Syrian border.

Several reporters have been treated for injuries that they suffered in said assaults. I spoke by phone with the journalists in question and wished them a speedy recovery.

We urge the international community to join us in condemning those attacks in the strong possible terms. We hope that those claiming the terrorist group does not pose a threat to Turkey and shares certain universal values can draw valuable lessons from what happened.

We assess that the terrorist did not target specific news outlets but opened fire with the intent to intimidate the press corps and create an atmosphere of fear near the Turkish- Syrian border.

The sniper attacks against reporters demonstrated yet again that the PKK/PYD-YPG terrorist have no respect for the public's right to know or their target's right to life.

It is hard to imagine that reporters, who are currently in northern Syria, are operating freely- not to mentions the civilian population that has been living under the same organization's iron fist for years.

Turkey is committed to the safety of all media personnel near its southern border. In light of the recent attacks on journalists, I have instructed my office to issue an advisory for journalists reporting from the area.

We urge all journalists to adhere to said guidelines until the Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Syrian National Army, push the terrorist away from our borders.

ILKHA