Turkish defense chief inspects troops on Syria border

KİLİS- Anadolu Agency

Turkey's defense minister carried out an inspection of troops deployed along the country's border with Syria, the Defense Ministry said on March 23.

In a statement, the Defense Ministry said Hulusi Akar was accompanied by Turkish Chief of General Staff Yaşar Güler and Ümit Dündar, commander of the Turkish Land Forces.     

They also met the commanders of troops stationed on the border.     

Turkey has stressed that it will not “allow the formation of a terrorist corridor along its southern border with Syria,” and towards that end has promised an operation east of the Euphrates in Syria, against the YPG- the Syrian offshoot of the illegal PKK. PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.

The expected operation would follow up on two other Turkish operations in Syria since 2016, Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch.