Erdogan Blasts Global Smear Campaign On Turkey's Op

Turkey's president criticized foreign media on Monday for using misinformation on the country's ongoing Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria.

"They are always using the same tactic," Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters. "We'll strive to tell the truth," he added.

Erdogan was speaking at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul before departing for Baku to attend the seventh Summit of the Turkic Council.

He said Turkey would comprehensively brief participants of the summit on the operation.

Last week, Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate 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 deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. -