China News Agency, Beijing, November 23. Comprehensive news: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on the 22nd local time that he will launch a ground offensive against the Kurdish armed "People's Protection Units" in Iraq and Syria.
In this regard, the United States, Russia and other countries have called on Turkey to exercise restraint on related issues.
According to Al Jazeera, Reuters and other media sources, Erdogan said on the same day that the Turkish side "has been using planes and drones to fight terrorists" in the past few days, and will "use tanks, artillery and soldiers to eradicate all terrorists" as soon as possible. .
On the 20th, the Turkish army launched an air strike code-named "Claw Sword" against the bases of the Kurdish Workers Party and the "People's Protection Forces" in Iraq and northern Syria.
The air strike is considered to be in retaliation for the bombing attack in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, on the 13th of this month.
According to Turkey's Anadolu News Agency, Turkish Defense Minister Akar pointed out on the 22nd that the "Claw Sword" operation is the "largest, most comprehensive and most effective" air operation launched by the Turkish side against "terrorist organizations" recently, and the operation's The only target is "terrorists".
He revealed on the 21st that the operation eliminated 184 "terrorists".
Akar also called on the United States and other countries to stop supporting Kurdish armed forces on the 22nd.
Erdogan also pointed out that US support for "terrorists" in Syria would pose a threat to Turkey's southern border area.
In response to Erdogan's statement on the 22nd, some countries called on the Turkish side to exercise restraint to prevent the situation from escalating.
According to Reuters, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said that the U.S. urged Turkey not to take such actions, "just as we urge the other side not to launch an attack or escalate the situation." Several other senior U.S. officials expressed through different channels Similar views.
According to the Russian Satellite News Agency, the Russian President’s special envoy on Syria, Lavrentyev, said that Russia called on Turkey to exercise restraint in order to avoid escalation of tensions, and “should continue to cooperate with relevant parties to try their best to find a peaceful solution to the ‘Kurdish issue’.” way.” (End)