Turkish troops ready to continue Syria offensive if deal not implemented - Defence Minister Hulusi Akar
"We paused the operation for five days. In this time, the terrorists will withdraw from the safe zone, their weapons will be collected and position destroyed. If this doesn't happen, we will continue the operation," Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said in his speech during an event in Turkish city of Kayseri.
- World
- Reuters
- Published Date: 04:32 | 19 October 2019
- Modified Date: 05:44 | 19 October 2019
Turkish troops in northern Syria are ready to continue their offensive if a deal with Washington to pause the conflict while YPG militants withdraw is not fully implemented, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Saturday.
Turkey and Washington agreed on Thursday for Ankara to halt its offensive for 120 hours while the YPG withdraws from a "safe zone" in northeastern Syria. On Saturday, the fragile ceasefire was holding along the Syrian border.
"We paused the operation for five days. In this time, the terrorists will withdraw from the safe zone, their weapons will be collected and position destroyed. If this doesn't happen, we will continue the operation," Akar said.
"Our preparations are ready. With the necessary order, our soldiers are ready to go anywhere," he stressed in his speech during an event in Turkish city of Kayseri.