He was accompanied by Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Guler, intelligence chief Hakan Fidan, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, Sanliurfa Governor Abdullah Erim, and senior members of his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.
Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring on Oct. 9 to clear northeastern Syria east of the Euphrates River of PKK/YPG members and create a safe zone along the border, thereby paving the way for the voluntary return of Syrian refugees.
Ankara has repeatedly expressed its determination to clear northern Syria of both Daesh/ISIS and YPG/PKK groups.
Ankara and Washington reached a deal on Oct. 17 to pause the operation for 120 hours to allow the withdrawal of YPG/PKK members from the planned safe zone.
On Oct. 22, Turkey also reached an agreement with Russia on a 10-point plan to force the YPG/PKK to withdraw from the planned safe zone.
ILKHA