Erdogan, Johnson discuss Turkey's operation in N Syria

ISTANBUL

Turkey's president and the U.K. prime minister discussed Turkey’s ongoing anti-terror operation in northern Syria over the phone late Saturday.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan explained the aim of Operation Peace Spring in Syria to Boris Johnson.

Erdogan said the anti-terror operation will continue until the PKK/YPG and Daesh threats were eliminated in northern Syria and the safe and voluntary return of displaced Syrians are ensured.

Turkey on Wednesday launched Operation Peace Spring to purge terrorists from northern Syria in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

Ankara wants to clear northern Syria east of the Euphrates River of the terrorist PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the PYD/YPG.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

*Writing by Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak