Ankara set to continue with military operations in Syria

Turkey's National Security Council (MGK) on Thursday signaled the continuance of Turkey's military operations in Syria as it said that "Syria's territorial integrity and permanent peace and stability can be established only by purging off terrorist groups."

Following a meeting headed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, MGK stressed in a statement that the steps for the security, peace and prosperity of the country will continue to be taken with the same determination.

The council was informed about the operations at home and abroad in the face of threats and perils targeting the national unity and persistence, operations conducted against terrorist groups, in particular against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the Democratic Union Party (PYD), FETO (abbreviation for "Fetullahist Terror Organization," as state officials refer to the movement led by Islamic scholar Fetullah Gulen) and the Islamic State (ISIS), the statement said.

It added that territorial integrity of Syria as well as permanent peace and stability in this country can be established only by purging off terrorist groups.

It further stressed the importance of international cooperation in support of efforts for the resettlement of Syrians, who had fled armed conflict, back in their home country, and for providing them with the necessary conditions of a peaceful and prosperous life.

Large parts of northern Syria are currently occupied by Turkey and its proxy armed groups. Ankara claims that Turkey is under threat from Kurdish militia, which according to Turkish authorities are linked to the PKK, and argues that the occupied areas constitute a buffer zone against such threats.