Turkey's Prime Minister announced the end to the military operation Syria known as ‘Operation Euphrates Shield’ that was launched last summer as part of the fight against the self-proclaimed caliphate – Islamic State.
The military operation known as "Euphrates Shield" is now over, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced on Wednesday 29/3/2017 without specifying whether Turkish troops withdrawal.
His announcement which has been reported by local and international media came after a meeting with the country's national Security Council.
Turkey first launched Operation Euphrates Shield in August of 2016 as part of wiping out fighters of the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group from the Syrian border town. Supported with allied Syrian rebel groups, they also attacked Kurdish militia groups in the region.
No Mention of Troop Withdrawals
Turkish supported battle against ISIS saw several militant-held towns being recaptured in the bolder region including Jarabulus, Al-Rai, Dabiq and Al-Bab. Turkish military forces sustained heavy casualties in the latter.
The operation now controls some 2,000 miles square km (1,242 miles) of northern Syria but longer shares any borders with IS-controlled areas.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim didn't mention anything about withdrawing troops from the controlled areas, some of which have been used to house Syrian refugees.
