Turkey's Activities In Syria Safe Zone Abide By Law

Turkish soldiers carry out all activities for the establishment of safe zone in northern Syria in line with domestic and international law, Turkey's National Defense Ministry said on Monday.

"As a NATO member, the Turkish Armed Forces abides by the international law as well as domestic law during all its efforts to enforce the Safe Zone," the ministry said in a written statement on Twitter.

"Ethnic cleansing, chemical weapons and ethnic/religious discrimination have NO place in our moral and cultural values," it 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. -