No one can design region’s future without Turkey, Yıldırım says

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım on Saturday said no one can design the region's future without Turkey.

"Stop at the west of Euphrates, don't cross to its east. There is no such thing. There is no east or west for terror, it's our main target until we completely get rid of it. We will do whatever is necessary. No one can design the region's future without Turkey," Yıldırım said while addressing academicians at the Hasan Kalyoncu University in the southeastern Gaziantep province.

He said Turkish military have been conducting "successfully" the land and the air operations and that it will eliminate threats to its border security, territorial integrity, and security of life and property.

"Wherever there is a terror threat, it is a target for us," the prime minister added.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists from Afrin.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey's borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty.

The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey's rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN charter, and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said.

The military also said only terror targets are being destroyed and that "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming civilians.