Turkish Operation in Syria: Turkey continues to shell Kurdish militia

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The Turkish army is continuing to shell Syrian Kurdish militia in the Afrin region. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan vowed its forces would sweep YPG fighters from the Syrian border, regardless of who accompanies them.

RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN TURKISH PRESIDENT "It is up to those in the area whether to evacuate the places where terrorists are present or not. As we have openly declared, without playing any games, we will continue to clamp down on terrorists regardless of by whom they are accompanied. Nobody should expect us to act according to the statements of those who do not respect their own words."

Ankara views the YPG as terrorists and an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party. But the YPG has been supported by the US for its prominent role in efforts to combat the Islamic State in Syria. Since the start of Turkish operation, Erdogan has said his forces would push east toward the town of Manbij. This would potentially put them in confrontation with US troops deployed there.