Erodgan: We’ll stay in Syria, until IS, Kurds defeated

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey will press ahead with its military operation in Syria until the Islamic State group and the Kurdish Syrian fighters no longer pose a security threat to Ankara.

The Turkish leader issues a message saying Ankara is determined to take all steps necessary both inside Turkey and abroad to protect Turkish citizens.

The Turkish military says Turkey-backed Syrian rebels have cleared 10 more villages of “terrorist entities” and are now in control of an area totaling some 400 square kilometers (154.44 sq. miles) south and west of the northern Syrian town of Jarablus.

Turkish military officials say Syrian opposition forces are continuing with their operations to clear IS-controlled areas by moving west of zone under their control.

“The Jarablus operation was a reflection of our determination. Our operations will continue until terror organizations such as Daesh, the PKK and its Syrian arm, the YPG, cease to be threats for our citizens,” Erdogan says, using an Arabic name for the Islamic State group.

— AP