Erdoğan: Planned safe zone in northern Syria not cleared of terrorists yet

There are still terrorists in the planned safe zone in northern Syria, Turkish president said on Tuesday.

"We know that there are still terrorists in the planned safe zone. These areas have not been cleared of terrorists yet," Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's parliamentary group.

Erdoğan noted that the terrorists beyond the safe zone borders were organizing attacks to Turkish security forces.

"We will not be an onlooker to this situation. We will do what is necessary as we did before.

"Turkey will continue its fight until the last terrorist is neutralized in Turkey, Syria and Iraq," Erdoğan said.

Syria's Ras al-Ayn and Tal Abyad were cleared of terrorists during Turkey's Operation Peace Spring -- launched on Oct. 9 to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey's borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees and ensure Syria's territorial integrity.

Ankara wants YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the region so that a safe zone can be created to pave the way for the safe return of some two million refugees.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK.

The Turkish president also criticized the U.S. attitude towards Turkey's S-400 missile system purchase from Russia.

"Linking the S-400s that we have purchased from Russia to F-35 issue and notably sanctions and other issues make no sense," said Erdoğan.

"I see this persistence as a new pretext towards hostility directed to our country," he added.

Erdoğan noted that Turkey's doors are open to the countries, "which are ready to talk, negotiate, and compromise with Turkey on an equal basis".

Turkey received a system, two batteries, and all the ammunition of the Russian S-400 missile defense systems, the military sources said, adding that training is under way.

The Turkish parliament on Thursday condemned a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, recognizing the so-called "Armenian genocide" as well as a bill backing sanctions on Turkey.

Speaking to the reporters after the group meeting, Erdoğan criticized the U.S. support for the YPG/PYD terror group in Syria.

"Unfortunately, the U.S. is also on patrol with the YPG/PYD. They were supposed to withdraw [from planned safe zone]," Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in a press conference.

"Although they decided to withdraw, how can we explain that patrol in the region that the U.S. is carrying out with this terrorist organization? These are not included in our agreement," Erdoğan said.

On Oct. 17, Turkey agreed to pause its Operation Peace Spring for 120 hours to allow the withdrawal of terrorist YPG/PKK forces from the planned safe zone.

Erdoğan and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence also agreed on Turkey having 20 miles (32 kilometers) of safe zone south of the Turkish border in Syria.