'Agreements On Northern Syria Not Fulfilled By US, Russia'

The U.S. and Russia have not yet fulfilled the agreements signed with Ankara on northern Syria, Turkey's foreign minister said on Monday.

"Have they fulfilled whatever was necessary under the agreements? No, they have not until now, but they should," Mevlut Cavusoglu told the members of Turkish parliament's planning and budget committee.

Cavusoglu recalled Turkey's recent anti-terror operations in northern Syria.

"If we do not achieve any result, as we had started the operation [before],...,we will do whatever is necessary [in the northern Syria]," said Cavusoglu.

Cavusoglu noted that Turkey has no other solution beside clearing the region of all terror groups.

"We should definitely clear of the terror threat just next to us [in northern Syria]," he added.

Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate YPG/PKK 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 YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the region so that a safe zone can be created to pave the way for the safe return of some 2 million refugees.

On Oct. 22, Ankara and Moscow reached a deal under which YPG/PKK terrorists would pull back 30 km (18.6 mi) south of Turkey's border with Syria, and security forces from Turkey and Russia will mount joint patrols there.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot. -