Turkey to continue fighting terrorism at its borders: VP Oktay

ISTANBUL- Anadolu Agency

Turkey will continue to fight against terrorism and clear its borders of terrorists and their supporters, Vice President Fuat Oktay said on May 28.        

Speaking at a fast-breaking dinner, or iftar, with a businessmen's association, Oktay praised Turkey's new counterterror operation, dubbed Operation Claw.        

“Turkey will continue to clear its borders from terrorists and their supporters. We will not compromise our stability,” Oktay said.       

The Turkish Armed Forces launched Operation Claw against PKK in Hakurk, northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry said on May 28.        

The military offensive, initiated on May 27, aims to neutralize militants in the area. It began with artillery shelling and continued with airstrikes and commando operations.      

PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.

Oktay also stressed that along with moves taken by Turkey in economic growth, social development and national technology, the country became a leader in humanitarian aid and assistance for development.      

In the meantime, Turkey has neutralized 433 PKK/YPG militants since the beginning of 2019, the country's interior minister said on May 28.

 “There are slightly more than 600 terrorists in the mountains. It was 12,000-13,000 in the 1990s and 2000s,” said Süleyman Soylu.      

“The name of the terrorist organization, called PKK/YPG, will not be mentioned again. They will be defeated,” Soylu added.